TEXAS LAPTOP THEFT ON THE RISE AT UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS A and M CAMPUSLaptop thefts surge across campus - The Battalion - NewsThirteen laptops have been stolen on the A&M campus since the beginning of the spring semester, totaling more than $15,000 in value, said Sgt. Allan Baron of the University Police Department.

"Some stolen laptops were the personal property of the students, and some were University property," he said.

Baron said there is no pattern to the thefts.

"It's completely random," he said. "Thefts have been scattered all over campus in dorms, offices, libraries and cafeterias."

Laptop computers, known for their small size and portability, are targeted by thieves for the same reasons. Because they are small, they can be easily stolen and concealed. The stolen items are then fenced at pawn shops and used computer stores, Baron said.

Laptops are also attractive targets because the legal consequences of a property crime such as theft is less severe than a crime against a person, such as robbery, and can often be more lucrative, Baron said.

"The problem with laptops is, people often leave them unattended," Baron said.

Baron said most laptop owners don't realize the cost of a stolen computer until they become victims. In addition to losing their computer, they have also lost peripherals, such as modems and network cards, installed software and the cost of replacing all of this equipment.

UPD advises that all laptops should be within sight of the owner, and unattended laptops should be locked in a cabinet or closet if possible. If a laptop must be left in a car, owners should make sure to lock it in the trunk where the computer is out of sight of potential thieves.

However, these precautions won't always guarantee protection against theft, Baron said.

"The thing is, even if it is locked up, that doesn't mean it can't be stolen," Baron said.

Baron advised laptop owners to engrave a name and a driver license number on the laptop so that if it is stolen and recovered, it can be returned.

"We may recover a laptop and have no way of returning it to the owner if there are no identifying marks," Baron said. "Sometimes the hard drive is erased, and there is no way to tell whose it was."

Because of these concerns, many laptop owners do not bring their laptops to class or to school at all.

Robert Onstead, a senior marketing major, said he is cautious about carrying his laptop on campus.

"I don't take my laptop to school for many reasons," Onstead said. "Certainly among them is the possibility that it might get stolen."
Jeff Hanhan, a senior finance major, said it is more trouble than it's worth to lug his laptop to and from class.

"Bringing a laptop on campus is too much of a hassle," Hanhan said. "It (laptop theft) is just another thing to worry about."

UPD said it feels that with proper caution, a laptop can be safely used on campus.

"The most important thing is to keep it secure at all times," Baron said. "Either on you, or locked up."