NORTH CAROLINA COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM OFFICE BUILDINGWSOCTV.com - Charlotte News - Office Building Has $30,000 In Computer Equipment StolenOffice Building Has $30,000 In Computer Equipment Stolen

POSTED: 6:10 pm EST February 1, 2005
UPDATED: 9:58 pm EST February 1, 2005

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- In the latest theft, someone hit six offices, taking $30,000 in laptops. Those offices are directly across the street from SouthPark Mall.

WSOC-TV


Before they even sat down, several people reporting to work in a SouthPark office complex noticed something was missing.

Attorney Ralph Harris says his was one of almost a dozen laptop computers stolen right out of his office over the weekend.
"It's very frustrating," he said. "The class A type of office space this is, you'd think it was a secure building. It's a surprise."

Police say there's no sign that someone broke into the building. Offices on the 11th and 12th floors had the doors pried open.

"I thought that by locking my individual office I was ok. Well, it didn't seem to work here," said Harris.

At first, police thought the rip-offs were an inside job because you need to swipe a passcard to get in during the weekend. But now, the case is being looked at as a breaking and entering.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Sergeant Todd Garrett says laptop computers are an easy target, but there are ways to protect them.

"Secure the laptops. Put them in a cabinet; lock them down, anything to slow them down. Criminals are looking for a grab and go," he said.
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BLOG EDITOR NOTE: VIDEO CAN BE VIEWED AT WEBLINK: Laptops Are Easy For Thieves To Grab And Go

CMPD say laptops are getting more popular with thieves for the same reasons they're so popular in the business world. First, they're extremely valuable. Many are worth thousands of dollars. Second, laptops are light and wireless. That makes it easy for thieves to grab them and go quickly.

Over the last few months, laptop thieves have targeted businesses in south Charlotte more than anywhere else in our area.

In October, someone stole thousands of dollars in laptops, hardware, and software from three businesses on Park Road.

A month later, police had surveillance video of a man they call the "Office Creeper." Detectives said he and another man targeted businesses in Ballantyne and Rock Hill.

If you have any information on these crimes or if someone selling laptops for incredibly low prices has approached you, call Crimestoppers at 704-334-1600.