the Informer

Photo courtesy of Suzie Hunter

Computer labs and classrooms are the target of multiple thefts of school desktop and laptop computers over the last two weeks.Two computers were stolen from one of Auerbach’s computer labs, Officer Mike Henry said. Those rooms typically have Dell desktop computers. One of the Art School’s graphic studio’s computers was also stolen during this two-week time frame. The computer in that room was a PowerMac G4 desktop computer and its monitor.

Henry said that the locking devices used to hold the computer were tampered with.

The art school was also the site of another attempted theft of a computer.
The thefts appear to be “concentrated to the academic side” of campus, Henry said, as there is no apparent connection between thefts that have occurred on either side of campus.

The attempted robbery occurred somewhere in the middle of the day towards early afternoon in the last two weeks, Henry said. The other thefts’ timeline could not be determined, because of the time the thefts were discovered, he said.

Henry also said that he didn’t know whether the doors to the rooms were unlocked or locked. For the failed attempt in the art school building, Henry said the door was likely unlocked given the time it occurred, as most doors in the academic buildings would be unlocked.

“The only time those doors would be locked would be after hours or if there are no classes being held in that classroom,” he said.

“We don’t know it’s actually connected. We don’t know what parties or person is doing it. We will probably never know that, until it’s solved,” Henry said.
“We have leads that we’re working on,” Henry said. “We have to take every individual lead as its own theft,” he said.

In an e-mail sent out to students describing the incidents, Public Safety asked students to keep a closer eye on personal belongings.

“We’re telling students to monitor their personal laptops at all times, because laptops are very small and their easily removed. If you don’t have your eye on your laptop at all times, someone could pick it up and walk away with it, “ Henry said.

Luis Natal, the Crime Prevention Specialist from Public Safety, suggested computer-tracking software. One of those options is Lo/Jack’s computer software, Natal said.

Computer hardware on the academic side of campus does not have this software installed, Henry said. Henry said he was not aware of any tracking software installed on those computers.

Natal also helms the Operation Identification program that offers students the ability to engrave their personal computers and other valuable items. The Operation ID service is free to students.

Natal is also the co-founder and facilitator of Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault on campus.

With over 15 years of service for Public Safety, Natal said he has seen on campus crime decrease over his career.