A mother and son were detained by the University of Oregon Police Department on suspicion of bike theft Monday afternoon, around 4:30 p.m., on the lawn of Prince Lucien Campbell Hall. Neither of them are students.

The mother, Linda Jean Southwood, and son, Ian Bradley Maclaren “were seen by staff in a locked bike cage on the northeast side of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art and appeared to be actively stealing a bike.” according to Kelly McIver,  the communications director and public information officer for the University of Oregon Police Department

Sergeant Cameron was near Johnson hall when he received the call, and quickly arrived at the scene with two other officers.

Sergeant Cameron repeatedly questioned the son about why he was carrying bolt cutters. The son refused the police officers’ requests to search his backpack.

The mother was detained because there is a warrant for her arrest, regarding a failure to comply to a third-degree theft charge with the Eugene Municipal Court

According to McIver, both subjects were arrested, and cited with letters of trespass.

According to an officer at the scene, theft has increased this summer with an influx of visitors to Eugene.

“People need to be aware that there are people with other things in mind than just visiting,” said Officer Rouse, a 15-year veteran of the UOPD.