MISSISSIPPI COMPUTER STOLEN FROM MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES heraldsun.com: Crime log: Man victim of armed robbery

Thief steals housing data

Computer's loss hurts hundreds

By ROBIN FITZGERALD

rfitzgerald@sunherald.com

BILOXI - +

Officials administering a $26 million grant to help restore Katrina-ravaged historic properties in South Mississippi have issued a plea after a break-in:

Please return the computer stolen Thursday night from the Preservation House, the office of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, 125 Rue Magnolia.

The computer contained 14 months of data compiled in research that can benefit more than 200 families or property owners, said Chelius H. Carter, a preservation specialist.

The computer can be replaced, Carter said, but the work to re-enter data from paper files in Jackson will be tedious and "a tremendous hindrance to starting what we want to do."

Police said the break-in was one of several reported between 6 and 10:30 p.m. in the immediate downtown area. The burglaries also involved three vehicles parked at 110 Rue Magnolia and two parked at 374 Caillavet St.

Staff at the Preservation House held a reception Thursday night at their Rue Magnolia office, which is documenting losses at properties built prior to 1945, whether the structures are on the National Historic Register or not. Property owners in the six southern counties have first shot at the grant money.

Board members and employees had left the building for dinner when the burglary occurred. Carter discovered the break-in when he returned shortly after 10 p.m. to check his e-mail. The computer was missing and the offices were ransacked.

"It was not exactly the welcoming committee I had in mind," Carter said. "It's a little upsetting that one person felt entitled to deprive people of much good."

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To give a tip

A male described as white, 130 pounds and 5-foot-7 with short, curly brown hair is sought in connection with an office burglary and five auto break-ins Thursday night around Rue Magnolia in Biloxi. To give a tip, call:

• Police: Ask for Investigator Tim McKaig at 435-6112; after 5 p.m., call 392-0641.

• CrimeStoppers: (800) 433-TIPS (8477).