Ball State police ejected four homeless men from Bracken Library on Monday, arresting at least one of them after officers were called to the library basement.
The arrested man was identified as Dexter Quire, university spokesman Kevin Burke said. The man, who was held because of three outstanding warrants, was known to hang out in the library, according to library staff. When searched, police found some cash on him and some pills, but they were all under his name. He did not have a permanent address to give authorities.
Homeless people are occasionally seen in the library basement, sitting in front of the TV during the day.
Burke said he did not know why police went to the basement. After arriving around 3 p.m., officers brought the men upstairs. Two left the building immediately. A third was taken out in handcuffs and the fourth was kept on the main floor as police searched his backpack. The investigation attracted the attention of first-floor library patrons. Two campus tours of students and parents walked by during the incident.
Arthur Hafner, dean of university libraries, said he wasn't aware of the arrest when asked about an hour later. After checking with his staff, he said he thought the police presence was a disruption.
"It appears they were detained for a short period and their backpacks were searched," he said. "These arrests were on the main floor of the library, I think they were not very tasteful."
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