MINNESOTA COMPUTER AND SERVER STOLEN Server containing sensitive information was stolen from Veterans Home:

Server containing sensitive information was stolen from Veterans Home

Missing server contained information about residents and some of their dependents

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: July 18, 2008 - 2:48 PM

It appears that burglars took more than just a laptop computer and sundry electronics when they broke into the Minneapolis Veterans Home early Sunday morning.

Officials at the home say they also made off with a backup server that did include password-protected information about home residents and some dependents, said spokeswoman Anna Lewicki Long.

The home, operated by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, is notifying employees, residents and others about the missing server and is providing information on how to protect themselves from identity theft should such a case arise. No cases of fraud have been reported as of Friday, Long said.

Thieves broke into two buildings on the campus early Sunday. They took a tool kit, two musical keyboards, a guitar, a Nintendo Wii and a laptop computer that did not contain information about residents, employees or financial data.

Long said home officials didn't immediately notice that the server was missing because it not being used at the time. A new server had been installed and the old server was a backup.

Police are "taking a close look at this, but we have no suspects," said Sgt. William Palmer of the Minneapolis Police Department.

Anybody with information is asked to call the Third Precinct Property Crimes Unit at 612-673-5713.