ILLINOIS POLICE SEEK HELP WITH COMPUTER THEFT CASE
The News-Gazette.com: Police seek help solving computer thefts

Police seek help solving computer thefts

Police are repeating warnings to protect laptop computers and asking for help in solving some residential burglaries.

Champaign police crime analyst Gary Spear said there again has been a rash of computer thefts, mostly involving laptops, but also desktop computers in a few cases.

Most have been reported in the campus residential areas, but some in west Champaign, Spear said.

"The majority involve no forced entry," Spear said.

Nine laptops have been reported stolen since Oct. 10, with 11 reported stolen in a two-week period in September. In Urbana, there have been a dozen laptop computers stolen since Sept. 1.

Anyone with information about these burglaries is urged to call Champaign County Crimestoppers at 373-TIPS (373-8477). The information given is confidential. Callers to Crimestoppers neither have to give their names nor appear in court.

A cash reward will be given for information leading to an arrest in these crimes.

Cash rewards also are given for information on other felony crimes or fugitives in the Champaign County area.

Spear said residents should be aware of the dangers of computer theft and think about how hard it would be to replace that data, let alone replacing acomputer," Spear said.

Spear urged computer owners to back up their data and store the backup in a safe place. He also urged everyone to write down the serial numbers of their computers, stereos, televisions and other valuables, in case stolen property is recovered by police.

He also reminded citizens to keep their doors and windows locked, particularly since so many of these computer burglaries have been with no forced entry.

Police also want citizens to be alert to strangers in their neighborhood or apartment complexes. Anytime a stranger walks into an apartment, even if the person gives an excuse, police should be called to investigate.