CHINA COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM UNIVERSITIES Net helps seize suspect in thefts from students:

Net helps seize suspect in thefts from students
Yang Lifei
2006-12-09

THANKS to a vigilant Netizen, local police have caught a woman suspected of committing more than 10 thefts worth about 110,000 yuan (US$14,000) in local universities last year.

Shen Hong, 25, of Chongming County, allegedly disguised herself as an overseas student or producer of TV programs and targeted female students, according to Zhao Jing of the Shanghai Cultural Protection Public Security Bureau.

Zhao said police received about 10 similar reports of theft from university students in April 2005. One of them was from Wang Hui, a journalism major from an unidentified university. 'The girl claimed a so-called post-graduate from a US university stole personal valuables from her and her roommate,' said Zhao.

Wang said she met the female suspect on campus while she was conducting random interviews with students.

'She said she was making a documentary on domestic university education. Common interest made us became acquainted soon and she proposed staying at my dorm so that we could have an overnight talk,' the alleged victim recalled. 'I agreed reluctantly.'

The next day, when Wang and her roommate returned to their dorm, the guest had gone, together with their laptop computers, watches and other valuables.

Wang's complaint reminded investigators of another theft reported two days previously by a junior student, Li Jing. Li claimed a new friend stole her handbag containing cash and a credit card when they were shopping at a department store.

Luckily, said Zhao, Li memorized the name on the student's card when the suspect showed it to confirm her identity on their first meeting.

"Investigators soon located the owner of the student's card. However, the girl alleged the card was stolen by Shen Hong, a fellow student," Zhao said.

Victims were said to have identified Shen from police mug shots. But the suspect then disappeared.

A breakthrough occurred on the night of September 21 when a male Internet user asked Chongming County police to confirm the identity of a girl he met online. "The man said he could not decide whether to offer financial assistance to the girl, who claimed to be in trouble and needed money," Zhao said.

Two hours later police swooped on an Internet cafe and detained the suspect.