TEXAS COMPUTERS STOLEN Police report:
Fourteen computers, 24 headsets and one pair of headphones, total estimated value $25,340, were reported stolen on July 7 from Cavok, 125 Bear Creek Pkwy., a company that produces aviation manuals.
Visit www.barracudasecurity.com
Friday, July 18, 2008
GHANA COMPUTER STOLEN Crime & Punishment of Friday, 18 July 2008:
Hohoe Police arrest suspected computer thief
Hohoe, July 18, GNA- Police in Hohoe have arrested Reagan Duah, 20, a staff of Kent House Security Company Accra, for attempting to install music software on a stolen computer . Duah said a colleague in the same security firm gave him the items. Mr Daniel Ablordey, Hohoe District Police Commander, briefing the Ghana News Agency said Duah, a native of Krachi in the Volta region was arrested in Hohoe with a "Ghana Must Go" bag containing acomputer and printer and some beverages after he attempted to have the computer installed with music software. He said the proprietor of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Company, where Duah went to have the installation done became suspicious of his conduct and demeanor and therefore hinted the Police. Mr Ablordey said a letterhead bearing "Chocolate Avenue" in Accra, with telephone numbers found on thecomputer was consequently called and a recipient affirmed that robbers broke into their offices last week and stole, computers and accessories, printers and 1,000 Ghana Cedis cash. He said the case has been forwarded to the Nima Divisional Police Command in whose jurisdiction the robbery was reported. Mr Ablordey advised individuals, private and public organizations to engrave their personal and office details on their electrical appliances includingcomputers for easy identification in times of burglary.
UK COMPUTER STOLEN Hospital laptop stolen - Falkirk Today:
Hospital laptop stolen
Published Date:
18 July 2008
By Deborah Punshon
A LAPTOP containing personal details of patients has been stolen from Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary.
The computer, kept in a locked cupboard which was password protected, includes the names and addresses of 89 audiology patients.
The equipment was taken during a break-in at the hospital's audiology unit.
NHS Forth Valley says it is working closely with Central Scotland Police but the laptop has still to be recovered.
The health authority said that the risk of the information being accessed from the computer was 'very low.'
Individuals whose information is being held on the database are being contacted to tell them about the theft and to offer them the support of a helpline if they have any questions.
Central Scotland Police is continuing its investigations and has appealed for anyone with information to call 01786 456000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
KENTUCKY COMPUTER STOLEN Bowling Green Daily News:
Burglary — A laptop computer, jewelry, a jewelry box and a cell phone valued at $6,647 were stolen between 2:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. Tuesday from a residence in the 3600 block of Water Mill Avenue, according to a city police report. A door frame in the back of the residence was also broken during the burglary causing $100 in damage.
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
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.
FLORIDA COMPUTERS STOLEN Police reports from local municipalities - 07/18/2008 - MiamiHerald.com:
DOWNTOWN MIAMI
A burglar broke into an office building under construction at 1100 Biscayne Blvd. after removing the hinges of a door between 3:30 p.m. June 18 and 6:45 a.m. June 19.
Thieves made off with several computers from a business at 300 NE Second Ave. on June 22.
One arrested after computer theft
A City of Poughkeepsie man was arrested Thursday and charged in connection with the theft of a laptop computer from the Wal-Mart store in Newburgh.Town of Newburgh police responded to the store at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Witnesses reported three people were involved, two of whom distracted employees while one removed the computer from the store. The suspects fled on foot.
Employees identified the vehicle the suspects had arrived in, and police waited near the vehicle until one of the suspects returned to it. When police approached him, he drove off and abandoned the vehicle at a Hess gas station on Route 300 and fled on foot.
A K-9 unit tracked the suspect into a wooded area off Orr Avenue, about one-quarter mile away, hiding behind a tree.
The stolen computer was later found in the vehicle's trunk.
The man, a 38-year-old resident of North Hamilton Street in the City of Poughkeepsie, was charged with criminal possession of stolen property, unlawfully fleeing the police in a motor vehicle, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second and third degree, all misdemeanors. He was also charged with several vehicle and traffic violations.
The Poughkeepsie Journal does not typically report the names of individuals charged with misdemeanors
ZIMBABWE COMPUTER THIEF JAILED allAfrica.com: Zimbabwe: Thief Jailed 20 Years (Page 1 of 1)
Zimbabwe: Thief Jailed 20 Years
The Herald (Harare)
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Harare
A NORTON man was yesterday sentenced to 20 years in jail for breaking into 11 shops at Daventry House in Harare and stealing electrical gadgets worth more than $900 trillion.
Isaac Chiutsi (27) would go to Daventry House at night and access the second floor by climbing up a gutter before breaking into the shops and offices.
| |
He pleaded guilty to unlawful entry and theft when he appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mr William Bhila.
Prosecutor Mr Godwin Takawira Nyasha established that the first incident occurred on March 26 when Chiutsi went to Daventry House in the company of Givemore Nyabvedzi, who is currently at large.
On arrival, the duo climbed up a gutter and broke into Maxman Freight Services' shop where they stole computers, a scanner, a laminating machine and accessories valued at $20 trillion at the time.
On April 13, the two broke into the same building and stole more computers, printers, cartridges and other property worth $104 trillion from Copy Well Cartridges on the first floor.
His luck ran out on July 7 this year when he was arrested in the corridors of the building while scouting for an office to break into.
MARYLAND COMPUTER STOLEN Ocean City Maryland News and Newspapers - Maryland Coast Dispatch
Lap Top Thieves Snagged
OCEAN CITY – Two foreign summer workers were arrested on burglary charges last week after getting caught allegedly stealing a lap-top computer from a mid-town apartment.
On July 10, OCPD officer responded to a residence on 78th Street for a reported burglary and theft. The officers met with the victim who told them his lap-top computer valued at around $1,200 had been stolen. The victim told police his two roommates had come home from the store and saw two white males standing on their balcony.
Through the investigation, police identified two suspects, later identified as Aibek Ongarbayev, 21, and Batrybek Koshbayev, 22, both of Kazakhstan, who are living in Ocean City for the summer season. The stolen computer was recovered and returned to the owner. The two suspects have been charged with felony theft and first-degree burglary and each is being held on a $5,000 bond.
NEW YORK COMPUTER THIEF CHARGED Covering the Hudson to the Catskills!
Poughkeepsie man charged with possession of laptop stolen from Newburgh store
NEWBURGH – Town Police in Newburgh Thursday evening charged Kevin Costigan, 38, of 212 North Hamilton Street in the City of Poughkeepsie with criminal possession of stolen property after they found a hot notebook computer stolen from Wal-Mart in the Town of Newburgh in the trunk of his car.
Police responded to the store after a report of several people stealing the computer and taking off. A vehicle involved was identified by employees.
When one officer spotted the vehicle with one person getting in, he approached him, only to have the person speed off, but the man dumped the car and fled on foot.
Costigan was caught in a wooded area hiding behind a tree. He was also charged with unlawful fleeing the police in a motor vehicle and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second and third degree. Police say the suspect has a long criminal history
Police continue to look for the others involved in the theft.
Newburgh Town Police were assisted by New Windsor Town Police.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
CALIFORNIA COMPUTER EQUIPMENT STOLEN Police Blotter - San Jose Mercury News:
PALO ALTO
100 block of Elwell Court, 10:27 a.m. July 15 Computer equipment was stolen from an office.
BRUNEI COMPUTERS STOLEN Brudirect.com� - Local News:
Meanwhile, three alloy feeder pillar doors, another two handbags containing $2,739, cheque for $260, two $10 Easi cards and important documents, as well as two packets of raw chicken and fish were stolen. Other items included two perfume bottles, a fire personnel cadet beret and a laptop computer.
The incidents occurred at Kg Masin electrical station, Kg Delima in Serusop, SKH department store in Gadong, Giant Hypermart, Menglait Secondary School and inside an RBA aircraft.
Meanwhile, another mobile phone, three lap-tops, an air-conditioning set, a bag containing fabric, two computer CPUs and $2,700 were stolen from several premises, namely, at the store of Astai Engineering in Lamunin, Dato 'Marsal Primary School, Warisan Complex in Kg MataMata, Kg Agas-Agas in Sg Liang, international airport, Alif School in Kg Tungku, Abd Razak Complex in Gadong and a textile factory in Serasa.
MARYLAND COMPUTERS STOLEN Explore Howard: Man assaulted, robbed on Oakland Mills footpath:
Sweet Hours Way, 7600 block, between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. July 10. Residence entered through unlocked rear sliding glass door. Laptop computer stolen.
Mendenhall Court, 9000 block, 1:32 p.m. July 10. Laptop computer and wires stolen from PCT Test Engineering Laboratory.
ALABAMA COMPUTER STOLEN Computer, cash taken in restaurant burglary- al.com:
Computer, cash taken in restaurant burglary
Thursday, July 17, 2008
From staff reports
A burglar had no interest in the food at Green Room Lounge and, instead, headed straight for the cash after climbing in the restaurant's drive-through window.
Police said the burglar broke into the restaurant at 1914 Jordan Lane overnight Tuesday. A laptop computer and an unknown amount of cash were taken.
A $600 laptop computer was stolen from a Tranquility Base hotel overnight Monday.
UK NHS COMPUTERS STOLEN BBC NEWS | UK | Wales | Wales politics | NHS trusts lose confidential data
NHS trusts lose confidential data
By Brian Meechan
BBC Wales political reporter
More than 150 incidents of data being lost at NHS trusts across Wales have put patient and staff details at risk.
Among the examples over a three year period, patient details from an entire children's ward in Wrexham were found on a piece of paper in a puddle.
In another revealed by BBC Wales after Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, a highly confidential child protection file was sent to the wrong address.
Health Minister Edwina Hart said she was "quite horrified" by the findings.
She said staff losing such data should be disciplined.
The cases were revealed in responses to BBC Wales to FOI requests to the trusts, which provide services through hospitals, health centres and clinics.
The North East NHS Trust reported the highest number of patients' files lost or stolen - more than 50 - but this could be explained by better reporting or a more open approach to FOI.
Its other cases included a senior nurse finding a sheet of paper lying in a puddle that had "confidential and sensitive information", including the names and diagnosis of every patient in the children's ward at Wrexham Maelor Hospital in March 2006.
The trust also reported five break-ins in one year at two premises in which computer equipment was stolen each time.
Other trusts had several examples of computer thefts and confidential patient's information being breached.
Cardiff and Vale had six computers - mainly laptops - stolen between December 2005 and November 2007.
It said the computers were password protected but it was considering using encryption software for extra security.
Conwy and Denighshire also had a laptop stolen but it contained no personal data and was encrypted.
Cwm Taf was set-up in April this year, replacing Pontypridd & Rhondda.
It reported 10 incidents including patient's details being put into the wrong files or posted to the wrong address.
Confidential personal information also went missing by mail, fax and courier from Velindre NHS Trust.
This included envelopes with test results being found in the street by a passer-by and a mail bag being stolen by "a member of the public wandering within the confines of the Velindre Cancer Centre".
North West Wales NHS Trust reported 10 incidents of patient information being seen by others due to "clerical errors".
Security at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg was breached four times, including a lost ward admission book.
Carmarthenhire NHS Trust had 24 security breaches - mainly thefts of staff wallets and purses - though three laptops were also stolen.
It has now merged with Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust , which had eight incidents including patients case notes being lost and relatives being given confidential files which they read without permission.Ms Hart said she was shocked by some of the incidents.
"To be frank I was quite horrified at some of the information you showed me concerning patients and particularly children," she said.
"I regard this as absolute tardiness and of course (these are) disciplinary matters for the trusts with regard to their staff.
"We cannot have confidential information on patients going out in this way
"I appreciate a lot of information flows within the NHS - out of hospitals, into hospitals - but we must try and protect patient records.
"It's the duty of everyone to ensure that they go to the right address and that record aren't left lying around," she added.
Ms Hart said she would ask the head of the Welsh NHS Ann Lloyd, to "make sure the chief executives in the service know my views on this and I expect them to take these matters seriously".
She said she would also be speaking to the trust chairs and others in the NHS when she meets them in the Autumn.
The trusts said they encouraged staff to report all incidents to them and involve the police when necessary.
BBC Wales is challenging the decision of Gwent NHS Trust , the only one to refuse to release the information.
It said it would be too expensive to gather the details.
The remaining trusts reported no incidents.
The information covered April 2005 to March 2008.
Conservative health spokesman Jonathan Morgan AM said the news would "alarm" staff and patients and called for an independent review of the methods used to store NHS data in Wales.
"Existing security measures are clearly not working and ministers need to explain why as a matter of urgency," he said.
"The assembly government must also re-examine its work in developing an electronic patient records system in the NHS to ensure data security is not compromised."
WEST VIRGINIA (UPDATE) COMPUTERS STOLEN The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia - Computers stolen from local office:
Published: July 16, 2008 10:42 pm
Computers stolen from local office
Amelia A. PridemoreRegister-Herald Reporter
Beckley Police say a city health care business was burglarized last week with about $5,000 in laptop computers and other electronics taken.
Then, two men unsuccessfully tried to pawn one of the computers the same day, police say.
Last Thursday, employees at Res-Care on Grey Flats Road arrived at work around 8 a.m. to find several offices ransacked, said Detective Sgt. David Allard of the Beckley Police Department. Laptop computers, as well as a Microsoft projector and other computer equipment were missing.
Patrolman B.L. Fuller took the initial report, Allard said. Fuller called local pawn shops, and he found out two male suspects visited Gold ‘n’ Pawn at Beckley Crossing right after the burglary was discovered. The men were trying to sell what is believed to be one of the stolen laptops.
Per a city ordinance that requires pawn shop owners to document purchases and report them to law enforcement, the pawn shop clerk attempted to gather information about the men — who then decided to not sell the computer, Allard said.
The two men in the pawn shop are described as white men, in their early-to-mid-20s with average builds, Allard said. One man had blond-to-brown hair, possible facial hair and wore a shirt with a large smiley face on it. The other suspect had dark brown hair and, possibly, a full beard.
Those with information about this case are encouraged to call the Beckley Police Department at 256-1708 or Crime Stoppers at 255-7867.
— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
CALIFORNIA COMPUTERS STOLEN Police Blotter - San Jose Mercury News: "MENLO PARK
300 block of Sheridan Drive, 2:29 p.m. July 15 Computers were stolen during a break-in.
FLORIDA COMPUTERS STOLEN Police reports from local municipalities - 07/16/2008 - MiamiHerald.com:
• SOUTH MIAMI
A burglar stole two laptop computers valued at $1,400 from an office at Interval International, 6262 SW 72nd St., between 10 p.m. June 26 and 9 a.m. June 27.
• FAIRWAY HEIGHTS
Someone took a laptop computer and a camera from a house in the 16000 block of Southwest 104th Court between 4:15 and 9 p.mJune 27. The stolen items were valued at $800.
IOWA COMPUTERS STOLEN KGAN :: CBS 2
CORALVILLE, Iowa (AP) -- Three Coralville men have been arrested and accused of burglarizing flooded homes.
Police say Benjamin Willett, Daniel Vieth and Michael Garr broke into four Coralville homes between July 4-9. Authorities believe they stole computers, electronics and a number of firearms from flooded-out homes.
Investigators arranged to buy one of the stolen firearms. Police say they then secured search warrants that yielded additional stolen property and guns.
CALIFORNIA COMPUTERS STOLEN Almanac : POLICE CALLS
MENLO PARK
Residential burglary reports:
� Laptop computer and camera stolen and recovered, and arrest of Shaka Pahulu, 18, of Menlo Park on burglary and battery charges, 300 block of Terminal Ave., July 5.Commercial burglary reports:
� Computer missing after forced entry, Battery Ventures at 2884 Sand Hill Road, July 6.
Costs Attributable to Laptop Theft Are Projected to Exceed $1 Billion |  |  |  |
| Written by Identity Theft Daily Staff | |
| Wednesday, 16 July 2008 | |
| The costs in 2008 attributable to laptop theft and its consequences are on track to exceed $1 billion by the end of the year, a running tally by laptop tracking firm MyLaptopGPS strongly suggested.
|
WEST VIRGINIA COMPUTERS STOLEN WVNS-TV – News for Beckley, Bluefield and Lewisburg, West Virginia
Beckley Health Care Office Robbed
Posted Tuesday, July 15, 2008 ; 06:29 PM
Updated Wednesday, July 16, 2008 ; 10:04 AM
Investigators need community help to identify suspects
Story by Hillary Crowder
Email | Bio | Other Stories by Hillary Crowder
BECKLEY -- Beckley Police need your help identifying a pair of criminals responsible for a robbery at a local health care office.
Investigators say two white males in their mid 20s entered the Res-Care office on Gray Flats Road in Beckley.
They say the pair stole several computers from the office, then took the stolen goods to a Beckley Pawn shop.
Police say when the workers at the pawn shop told them they'd have to report the sale to authorities, the suspects took the computers and left.
Once caught, the suspects will be charged with grand larceny and entering without breaking -- which is also a felony.
Anyone with information should contact police.
UK COMPUTERS STOLEN Health worker faked illness then stole laptops - Scotsman.com News
Health worker faked illness then stole laptops
But after taking time off for a virus, he forged and altered medical certificates to claim an extra £2,786 of sick pay.
And when he was supposed to be off sick, he used a security swipe card to steal laptops and cash from offices in the hospital.
Yesterday, Dowie appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court after pleading guilty by letter and was told his wife will have to get a loan to pay the hospital back.
The court heard how Dowie had taken a week off after suffering from a virus but began photocopying and altering medical certificates to give himself more time off.
Over the course of five months, between June and November last year, he conned almost £3000 in sick pay and also admitted using a security card to steal computers and cash from his work.
Fiscal depute Bruce McCrossan said police noticed several high-value thefts from the hospital between October 2006 and April 2007.
It was during these investigations when Dowie, from Broomhill Park, Dalkeith first went-off sick.
Investigators realised Dowie must have taken two laptop computers because they were taken from a corridor for which security cards, issued to only a small number of staff, were needed to access.
The father-of-two was suspended and eventually sacked from his job at the hospital in Little France.
His defence agent, Euan Roy, said Dowie forged the sick lines because he was suffering from stress after being bullied at work and seeing his father fall mentally ill.
He said Dowie stole the laptops because he had a drug addiction.
Mr Roy added: "Had he told his doctor about the difficulties he had I'm sure he would have been given the necessary documents."
He said first offender Dowie was shocked by his own actions, was now drug-free, looking for work and was a low risk of re-offending.
Sheriff Warner described the incident as a "flagrant breach of trust".
He added: "It seems prison is inescapable."
But Mr Roy said Dowie's wife, a £20k-a-year bio-medical scientist, would arrange a personal loan to cover the health board's loss and his sentence was deferred to allow it to be arranged.
Health worker faked illness then stole laptops - Scotsman.com News
UK COMPUTERS STOLEN Health worker faked illness then stole laptops - Scotsman.com News
Health worker faked illness then stole laptops
But after taking time off for a virus, he forged and altered medical certificates to claim an extra £2,786 of sick pay.
And when he was supposed to be off sick, he used a security swipe card to steal laptops and cash from offices in the hospital.
Yesterday, Dowie appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court after pleading guilty by letter and was told his wife will have to get a loan to pay the hospital back.
The court heard how Dowie had taken a week off after suffering from a virus but began photocopying and altering medical certificates to give himself more time off.
Over the course of five months, between June and November last year, he conned almost £3000 in sick pay and also admitted using a security card to steal computers and cash from his work.
Fiscal depute Bruce McCrossan said police noticed several high-value thefts from the hospital between October 2006 and April 2007.
It was during these investigations when Dowie, from Broomhill Park, Dalkeith first went-off sick.
Investigators realised Dowie must have taken two laptop computers because they were taken from a corridor for which security cards, issued to only a small number of staff, were needed to access.
The father-of-two was suspended and eventually sacked from his job at the hospital in Little France.
His defence agent, Euan Roy, said Dowie forged the sick lines because he was suffering from stress after being bullied at work and seeing his father fall mentally ill.
He said Dowie stole the laptops because he had a drug addiction.
Mr Roy added: "Had he told his doctor about the difficulties he had I'm sure he would have been given the necessary documents."
He said first offender Dowie was shocked by his own actions, was now drug-free, looking for work and was a low risk of re-offending.
Sheriff Warner described the incident as a "flagrant breach of trust".
He added: "It seems prison is inescapable."
But Mr Roy said Dowie's wife, a £20k-a-year bio-medical scientist, would arrange a personal loan to cover the health board's loss and his sentence was deferred to allow it to be arranged.
News | Shorelines.com: Road rage incident leads to weapons charge against man
FLORIDA COMPUTERS STOLEN News | Shorelines.com: Road rage incident leads to weapons charge against man:
JACKSONVILLE BEACH
• n employee at a business in the 800 block of Beach Boulevard reported Sunday that the business was burglarized. An $800 computer was taken.
NEPTUNE BEACH
• A Dell Insperon laptop computer worth $1,100 was stolen between 12:30 and 5 a.m. Friday in the 2100 block of Bay Road, police said.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH
• A man reported Friday that his home in the 600 block of Ponte Vedra Lakes Boulevard was burglarized. About $1,200 worth of computer equipment was taken.
HAWAII COMPUTERS STOLEN Computers stolen in Kapaa school burglary | HonoluluAdvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser:
Computers stolen in Kapaa school burglary
Kaua'i police are investigating the theft of $17,000 worth of computer equipment and $3,000 in damages from a burglary Sunday night at Kapa'a Middle School.
The burglary occurred in the school's library and computer room.
Anyone with suspect information can call Detective Carl Oliver at 808-241-1682, police dispatch, 808-241-1711, or Kaua'i CrimeStoppers at 808-241-1887.
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.
INDIANA COMPUTER STOLEN CONTAINING STUDENT DATA Report: Laptop with ISU students' info stolen | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star:
Report: Laptop with ISU students' info stolen
Star report
Posted: July 16, 2008
A password-protected laptop computer containing personal information for an estimated 2,500 or more current and former Indiana State University students was stolen during the weekend, the university reported Tuesday.
While there is no evidence to suggest that password security was breached, the university is taking the precaution of notifying all affected students for whom it has current contact information, the Tribune-Star of Terre Haute reports on its Web site.
The laptop contained data for students who took economics classes from 1997 through the spring semester 2008, estimated at more than 2,500 individuals, the report says.
The information includes names, grades, e-mail addresses and student identification numbers. Beginning in 2003, use of Social Security numbers as student ID numbers was discontinued in favor of university-specific identification numbers.
MISSOURI COMPUTER HARDWARE STOLEN stjoenews.net | Theft may include soldiers’ personal information
Theft may include soldiers’ personal information
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The theft of computer hardware Monday potentially compromised the personal information of about 2,000 Missouri National Guard soldiers. The Columbia, Mo., Police Department is investigating the crime.
The Guard doesn’t believe this personal information, which includes Social Security numbers, will be exploited.
Every soldier and family potentially affected will be contacted by letter this week, said Capt. Tamara Spicer, a spokeswoman. In light of this incident, information security procedures are being reviewed and identified weaknesses will be enhanced, Mrs. Spicer said. Thetheft doesn’t affect the data of Missouri Air National Guard members, she said.
Detailed information on steps soldiers and families can take to protect their personal and financial information will be available on the Guard Web site at www.moguard.com or by calling this hot line: (888) 526-MONG (6664) ext. 7888.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
UK 830 MILITARY COMPUTERS STOLEN OR LOST MoD Admits 830 Laptops Lost Or Stolen In Past Five Years (from The Herald ): More than 830 military laptops - nine of which contained information classified as top secret or secret - have been stolen or lost in the past five years, the Ministry of Defence admitted for the first time yesterday. Another 153 desktop computers have also gone missing over the same period, although only one of those held secret material. The disclosure follows a detailed security review ordered earlier this year, when it was believed that 503 MoD laptops and 23 desktops had been stolen since 1998. The latest admission means that up to 1000 computers have gone missing and the national and personal security implications are far greater than first thought. Hard drives of the missing computers contained details of Britain's deployment plans in advance of the 1991 Gulf War, contact information for the UK's top military commanders and highly classified data on the new US-designed Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Another drive contained a comprehensive threat assessment for possible terrorist attacks on Heathrow, including the 62 most likely launch-points for anti-aircraft missiles targeting passenger jets on approach or take-off. The loss of the laptop containing JSF project information in 2001 prompted the US to make an official complaint about the effectiveness of British security procedures. Despite an immediate security review, and the issue of new advice to officers to minimise the risks while travelling, an estimated further 900 laptops have gone missing since then. Encryption of all sensitive data was ordered from January 2007, yet a laptop stolen in Birmingham late last year - with personal information of up to 600,000 serving RAF, Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel and recruit applicants - was not protected. Critics at the time described its contents as "a potential terrorist goldmine". According to Peter Wood, from penetration testing company First Base Technologies, once a laptop has fallen into the wrong hands, accessing sensitive data is relatively easy. He said: "Ninety per cent of stolen laptops are probably accessible within 10 minutes, and even many of those with more sophisticated levels of encryption can still be accessed within three hours." The MoD said: "The loss of any data is treated with the utmost seriousness. Personnel are no longer allowed to remove laptops or hard drives from secure locations and all information is encrypted."
MoD admits 830 laptops lost or stolen in past five years
INDIANA COMPUTER STOLEN Terre Haute News, Terre Haute, Indiana- TribStar.com - NEW: Stolen laptop contains ISU student information:
NEW: Stolen laptop contains ISU student information
Staff report
The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE — A password-protected laptop computer containing personal information for an estimated 2,500 or more current and former Indiana State University students was stolen during the weekend, the university reported today.
While there is no evidence to suggest that password security was breached, the university is taking the precaution of notifying all affected students for whom it has current contact information.
The laptop contained data for students who took economics classes from 1997 through the spring semester 2008, estimated at more than 2,500 individuals. The information includes names, grades, e-mail addresses and student identification numbers. Beginning in 2003, use of Social Security numbers as student ID numbers was discontinued in favor of university-specific identification numbers.
Students affected may wish to contact any credit bureau to request that a fraud alert be placed on their account.
The theft occurred Saturday while the professor was traveling in southern Indiana.
The incident was reported immediately to the appropriate police agency and early Monday to university officials.
The extent of the information contained on the computer was not determined until Monday night.
Faculty and staff are being reminded that university policy prohibits the storage of private, sensitive data on portable computers. In addition, laptops provided to faculty are equipped with several security measures including encryption and a bio-metric fingerprint reader to prevent access by anyone other than the assigned user. Adherence to existing policies will safeguard personal information.
When asked if the faculty member whose laptop was stolen had violated university policy, Dave Taylor, director of media relations, responded, “It would appear so.”
Asked if the faculty member faced any consequences, Taylor said, “That issue has not been addressed … I think the immediate concern right now is to get the word out to students” whose personal information was on the laptop.
Also, the university “wants to make sure policies are followed in the future rather than try to point fingers at any individual,” Taylor said.
ISU is in the process of contacting affected students “if we have up-to-date addresses or e-mail addresses,” Taylor said.
Since the student data goes back to 1997, it’s likely ISU won’t have updated contact information in all cases. “That’s where the news media comes in. By getting the word out, students and former students can be made aware of this,” he said.
About 500 ISU faculty members have laptop computers. The university is reviewing its procedures to ensure compliance with existing policies, said Interim President Jack Maynard, the university’s provost and vice president for academic affairs.
The university will post a list of frequently asked questions about the use of personal information and security procedures on its Web site.
When faculty return for the 2008-09 academic year, “I think academic affairs and the office of information technology will do everything they can to remind faculty of the policy” with regard to private, sensitive data on portable laptops, Taylor said.
He suggests it’s “highly unlikely” the person who stole the computer would be aware of the type of information it stored.
Covenant reviews security policies
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Story last updated at 7/15/2008 - 2:43 am
A laptop computer containing the private medical records of 700 Covenant patients was stolen in May, a hospital official said.
The information stored on the computer was password protected, said Gwen Stafford, a Covenant vice-president. Only patients of the neuroscience department could have been affected, and they were notified, Stafford said. Still, the hospital may change the way it stores patient records.
"As a result of the this, I would anticipate laptops will not be the means of storing logs of information," Stafford said.
It's believed the computer was stolen from the department between May 23 and 25.
Included on the computer were patient names, dates of birth and reasons for office visits, Stafford said.
No financial information, such as bank account numbers or insurance information, was stored on the computer, she said. No Social Security numbers were stored on the stolen laptop either, Stafford said.
The theft was reported to Covenant security, as well as the police, Stafford said.
"Clearly we are trying to work with the police and our own security to see who might have done this," Stafford said. "It's an ongoing criminal investigation."
Stafford said Covenant will probably review the incident to determine what could have been done better.
Different departments at the hospital use a variety of methods to store patient information, according to Stafford. Some use paper, others use computer hard drives.
To comment on this story:
kristen.hackney@lubbockonline.com 766-8713 shelly.gonzales@lubbockonline.com 766-8747
PHILLIPINES COMPUTER STOLEN Stolen laptops, cell phones being sold on Internet - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos:
Stolen laptops, cell phones being sold on Internet
By Nancy C. Carvajal
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:49:00 07/15/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- People who lost their laptop computers or cell phones to thieves should check sites on the Internet that offer secondhand electronic equipment.
Michael Arcilla, a marketing manager, did just that and found out that the Dell laptop computer, which was stolen from him in a San Juan City restaurant recently, was being offered for sale by a person with the user name “armzsore.” The computer had been stolen just a day before.
Arcilla said he immediately contacted the seller, who turned out to be 26-year-old male from Laon Laan, Manila. They later met in a coffee shop in a mall in Makati City on Friday.
“The moment I saw the laptop, I immediately knew it was mine because of a scratch on its surface,” he added.
“It cost me more than P134,000 because of additional accessories but (the suspect) was selling it to me for P43,995,” Arcilla said.
With the help of the mall’s security men, he said they apprehended the suspect and brought him to the nearest police station.
Eastern Police District director, Chief Superintendent Nilo de la Cruz, said the suspect’s arrest led to the discovery of the existence of an organized syndicate buyingstolen materials and selling them on the Internet.
Senior Superintendent Eduardo Villena, head of the EPD District Investigation and Detective Management Division, however, said that with the intervention of three lawyers, the suspect was ordered released on Monday by a prosecutor “for formal investigation.”
GEORGIA COMPUTERS STOLEN Rome News - Tribune:
Metal company target of burglar
Rome police detectives are investing a weekend burglary that saw a computer and cash taken, reports stated.
According to police reports, the East Third Street metal company was broken into sometime over the weekend after a suspect used a cutting torch from the business to cut metal bars off the window.
Once inside, the suspect took a computer, several rolls of quarters and miscellaneous change taken from a cash register. Another computer was damaged during the burglary, and police did not yet have a final sum of the estimated cost of the damage.
Detectives took physical evidence from the business and are continuing to investigate.
Weekend burglary of sports shop sees computers, cash taken
Rome police are investigating a burglary at a local sports shop that saw $2,700 in computers and cash taken after a contractor finished up work Saturday.
The owner of the shop in the 300 block of Dodd Blvd. found that $600 in checks and $250 in cash were taken, along with an HP desktop computer, an Acer laptop computer and an HP printer.
A contractor working on the store told police that he left the store around 9:15 p.m. and might have forgotten to lock the doors. He also told police that he saw a suspicious white SUV driving slowly through the parking lot at the time.
Police are continuing to investigate and are looking into physical evidence that might have been left behind by the burglar.
NEW YORK COMPUTERS STOLEN Man charged in New Hyde Park crime spree -- Newsday.com
Man charged in New Hyde Park crime spree
After a series of criminal blunders in New Hyde Park on Monday, a suspect was arrested and charged with stealing a car, breaking into a store and leaving the scene of an accident, Nassau police said.
Robert Sewell, 27, stole a car from a Hillside Avenue deli at 8:06 a.m. after the car's owner left the keys in the ignition, police said.
But Sewell didn't make his getaway in time, police said, as the car's owner spotted him driving off and called 911.
Then Sewell drove the stolen car down the street to Smart Brain America, at 1614 Hillside Ave., where he loaded the stolen car with bags of electronic loot he'd stolen in an earlier burglary, police said.
A witness saw him hauling the bags of cell phones, laptop computers, an LCD television, a personal digital assistant and a camera, police said.
This witness, too, called 911.
Sewell drove away but soon got into what the police called "a one-car auto accident damaging private property" at New Hyde Park Road and Jericho Turnpike.
Sewell ran off. He left behind the stolen car and stolen electronics, police said.
It was 9:08 a.m. when officers caught him behind 25 South 16th St. in New Hyde Park, and they found the stolen items in the stolen car at the scene of Sewell's accident, police said.
Sewell, 27, of 88 Hemlock Dr., Farmingdale, was charged with grand larceny, burglary, unlawful fleeing of a police officer, aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle, unsafe backing on a roadway, failure to stop at a stop sign and failing to report the accident.
He faces arraignment Tuesday, in First District Court, Hempstead.
Last Updated: 6:14 PM Jul 15, 2008
Reporter: Liz Hayes
Email Address: lhayes@wsaw.com
The Rhinelander man accused of killing a co-worker in Tomahawk is waiving his right to a jury trial.
25-year-old Seth Louis will now face a judge who will determine whether he's guilty of first degree intentional homicide as party to a crime in the murder of 42-year-old Tracy Maurer.
Louis' fourth attorney asked a Lincoln County judge to reschedule his trial.
Judge Jay Tlusty granted his request, because the defense says Louis told him he had an accomplice in the murder.
The judge says the defense can have two months for an independent investigation of the possibility of an accomplice.
The trial will be re-scheduled...for the fifth time...for mid-November.
Prosecutors say Louis waiving his right to a jury trial may help the state's case.
"I think it'll be easier because the court obviously is already aware of the factual situations it's been involved in this case from early on, also it's familiar with the facts and the parties," said Ralph Uttke, a special prosecutor assigned to the case.
Murder is not the only charge Louis faces.
Authorities in Oneida County say Louis broke into homes in Rhinelander and stole computers and cash.
They say he sold one of the stolen computers to Tracy Maurer...and killed her after she didn't pay him for it.
He's now facing three burglary felonies, in addition to first degree intentional homicide as party to a crime.
WEST VIRGINIA COMPUTERS STOLEN Police blotter: Ark. man claims he was kidnapped, forced to drive to W.Va. - Huntington, WV -- The Herald-Dispatch:
BREAKING AND ENTERING: An unknown suspect used bodily force to enter a business on the 500 block of 8th Street overnight Thursday.
The suspect stole two laptop computers valued at $3,000.
Police currently have no suspects in the case and could not find any evidence on the scene.
Monday, July 14, 2008
TANZANIA COMPUTERS STOLEN Tanzania Standard Newspapers|Home
GODFREY OBONYO
Daily News; Friday,July 11, 2008 @00:03
| Four suspected robbers were arraigned before Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday to join alleged 10 accomplices in a case involving conspiracy and theft of property belonging to Mr Badar Seif Soud of Gulf Bulk Petrol Ltd (BGP). The property include petrol and diesel valued at 362.9m/-. Assistant Commissioner of Police Charles Kenyela alleged before Resident Magistrate Pelagia Khaday that on an unknown date in June this year the accused conspired to commit armed robbery at the Gulf Bulk Petrol Ltd (BGP) yard in Temeke Municipality. In the second count, ACP Kenyela said that on the same day, time and place, the four businessmen, (10 others already in prison) and one night guard vandalized the GBP yard and stole “many valuables therein”, including 178 million/- and 55,000 US dollars in cash. They also, allegedly, stole four Dell computers valued at 2.8 million/-. He alleged that other items stolen by the accused included 31,000 litres of petrol valued at 52 million/- and 34,000 litres of diesel valued at 62.9 million/-. The prosecutor named the suspected robbers as Hashim Majura (41), Khamis Majura (28), Leonard Mkono (30), and Stadius Gosbert (32) both residents of Dar es Salaam. In custody, the four suspected robbers join Khasimu Mbowe (42), resident of Kibaha in Pwani region, Sebastian Munisi (32) of Keko Mwanga, and the GBP night guard, Iddi Miraji Ramadhani (27), a resident of Magomeni. Others are Amir Waziri (44) of Mbagala Kongowe; Msafiri Waziri (27) of Sinza B; Jafari Ruhuru (32) of Kurasini; Adam Haji (38) of Yombo Visiwani; Munana Rashid (33) of Sinza and Rajabu Mohamed, resident of Mbagala Charambe. The prosecutor said other accused persons are still at large and that they would be brought before the court when arrested. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded since the offence legitimately denied them right of bail. The case was adjourned to July 16, this year, for the next mention. | |
PENNSYLVANIA COMPUTERS STOLEN cbs3.com - Delaware Wire:
Thieves take computers, air conditioners at Wesley
DOVER, Del. (AP) Thieves made off with air conditioners, computers and a flat panel TV after breaking into the head football coach's office at Wesley College in Dover.
Dover police believe the burglary occurred between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.
Thieves pulled two air conditioners from windows, and also stole two laptop computers and a 20-inch flat screen television.
The stolen items are worth about $4,500.
Information from: WBOC-TV, http://www.wboc.com/
Victims take back loot from thief
By Jenn Parker - jparker@thesunnews.com
Two Myrtle Beach residents reported that a thief stole their laptop chargers Thursday after they stopped him from stealing their laptop computers, according to a police report.
One victim said that he bumped into the suspect coming out of their room on 4th Avenue South at 5:30 a.m. and saw the suspect carrying the victims' laptops. After the victim grabbed the computers, the suspect fled with the computer power supplies in his pockets, the report states.
The other victim said the incident's noise woke him up and he chased the suspect but was unable to catch up after the male rode away on a bicycle. While he fled, the suspect dropped a gray sweatshirt that the victims retrieved and gave to police.
The victims recognized the suspect and said they could easily identify him if they see him again, according to the report.
IOWA COMPUTERS STOLEN Crime report -- Des Moines | DesMoinesRegister.com | The Des Moines Register
1000 block of Ninth Street, June 29 - A man reported two computer monitors, valued at a total of $500, one television, several DVDs and one PlayStation game console, valued at $150, stolen from his apartment.
111 E. Army Post Road, June 30 - The owner of Iowa Mortgage Associates reported 11 computers, valued at a total of $11,000, two printers and one fax machine, valued at $5,000, stolen from the property of the business.
Eighth and Center streets, June 30 - A foreman with Weitz Construction reported one laptop computer and two cell phones stolen and one window broken at a construction site.
NORTH CAROLINA COMPUTERS STOLEN Crime Roundup for July 13:
6200 block of Hunter Hill Road; stolen, 58-inch Pioneer plasma screen television, two laptop computers and $200 cash.
500 block of Sutton Road; stolen, Dell computer, Canon printer, coins and checks.
1000 block of Coggins Court; stolen, laptop computer.
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