MISSOURI (UPDATE) SOLDIER DATA ON STOLEN COMPUTER Computer theft could endanger Guard data | News-Leader.com | Springfield News-Leader:

Computer theft could endanger Guard data

Kansas City -- The personal information of up to 2,000 members of the Missouri National Guard may have been compromised after a computer was stolen, officials said Tuesday.

he Guard said the theft occurred Monday, but it would not provide details on the type of information, saying that could compromise the police investigation.

Columbia police Sgt. Ken Hammond confirmed that his department received the initial report about the theft. He also confirmed that a National Guard computer was stolen from Columbia.

"I'm not sure what type of computer it was or the type of information it entails," Hammond said.

He said the police will release a report once they have completed their investigation, but he declined further comment.

Capt. Tamara Spicer, a spokeswoman for the Missouri National Guard, said the Guard would send letters to all potentially affected troops this week.

"The letter doesn't mean that your information has been compromised, but it just means you should pay attention to your accounts," Spicer said.

She said the Guard wasn't sure exactly how many troops or exactly who was affected.

She also said officials didn't have any reason to believe the information would be exploited.