An American University department head who specializes in diversity issues is facing a second-degree burglary charge after his recent arrest for allegedly breaking into a building near campus and setting property on fire.
Dr. David Pitts, chairman of the university’s Department of Public Administration, will have a preliminary hearing on Sept. 15, according to D.C. Courts.
Pitts was arrested last Thursday at the Foxhall Square Shopping Mall after police say he set a fire near a parking attendant booth, Fox 5 D.C. originally reported. Pitts also allegedly pried open the back door of the building to burglarize it, authorities say.
“According to an arrest affidavit … officers saw Pitts set a chair on fire near a guard shack at his apartment complex’s parking garage,” The Washington Post reports. “Then, the documents state, he lit a newspaper on fire in front of a Starbucks and then set a fire in the woods off Embassy Park Drive. Police said they then saw Pitts force his way into the mall, giving him access to a pharmacy, bank and several doctors’ offices. The officers called D.C. police, and Pitts was arrested after a brief chase from the third level of the mall into the parking garage.”
The Post goes on to report police found “5,431 prescription pills” in his apartment. Among the drugs reportedly recovered were Ambien, Lunesta, Oxycodone, Methadone and Cialis. Police also say Pitts allegedly committed another burglary in Montgomery County, Maryland, Fox 5 D.C. reports.
A video filmed by American University student Trey Yingst near New Mexico Avenue and Macomb Street captures burning material outside the Foxhall parking garage.
American University said in a statement that Pitts will be on leave “until more is known about this matter,” and that his instructional responsibilities have been reassigned.
“A member of our community, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Public Administration and Policy, Dr. David Pitts, was arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department,” the statement reads. “An MPD investigation is in progress. The university is cooperating with that investigation. At this time, we are not aware of any safety threats to our community and we are working closely with MPD and AU Public Safety to continually assess the situation.”
Pitts began his career at American as an assistant professor in 2008, according to his university profile. His research examines diversity issues in public management and policy.
While student reaction to the incident has been minimal, some have voiced concern.
“It’s kind of scary to know someone teaching in my school did that,” Rafaella Pastor, an American University freshman, told Fox 5 News.
College Fix reporter Michael Cipriano is a student at American University.
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