Police still searching for suspects in computer theft
Nick Crow
The break in and theft of several computers and keyboards at the Greenhill Center of the Arts in the early hours of Sunday, Nov. 4, will cost the arts department at UW-Whitewater several thousands of dollars."We're guessing the value of these computers is somewhere between $10,000 and $15,000," Richard Haven, the dean of Arts and Communication said.
There were a total of four Apple computers stolen. They were equipped with expensive monitors, special software and large amounts of memory.
Two MIDI keyboards were also stolen during the incident
"This theft was probably planned, and they were clearly looking for computers, but we have hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of equipment and instruments in this building, and much of this is irreplaceable," Michael Allsen, the music department chair, said in an e-mail to music majors.
"We all have to help in taking responsibility for security. I'm pretty disgusted by this-it will cost the department money that I would much rather use for something else," he said.
According to University Police Chief Matthew Kiederlen there was physical evidence but no suspect is linked at this time.
A crowbar had been used to pry the room open.
"The fact that a crowbar was used to force open the door indicates that whoever did this meant to do it and had planned out that they were going to hit that lab," Haven said.
It has also been found that an attempt to break in to a second room occurred but was unsuccessful.
There are no cameras in the building at this time, so it is undeterminable who is a suspect. The CA stays open late for students so there is easy access in and out of the buildings.
"We are trying to be as vigilant as possible; we are improving the doors and considering the installation of security cameras to make it a little harder to carry a computer out of the building," Haven said.
Haven asks students that hear anyone discussing this incident or know any information about the whereabouts of the computers to step forward.
"We encourage anyone who has any information to tell the campus police," Haven said.
The University Police can be reached at (262) 472-4660 and calls may remain anonymous.
Last fall several computers were stole from Heide Hall labs.
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