MISSISSIPPI (UPDATE) COMPUTER THEFT CASE STILL UNSOLVED City Hall break-in a crime against all | hattiesburgamerican.com | Hattiesburg American:

City Hall break-in a crime against all

Hattiesburg American editorial • June 23, 2009

Three years after the Hattiesburg City Hall was broken into, investigators say they still have no clue as to who the perpetrators were.

The break-in was pulled off by at least two men who obviously knew what they were after and knew the location of the City Hall security cameras. The burglars never gave the cameras a clear look at their faces.

They stole more than $150,000 worth of computers and other equipment that contained sensitive data on city workers, contractors and residents. After the burglary, many Hattiesburg residents changed their bank account numbers because of identity-theft fears.

Police spokesman Synarus Green told Hattiesburg American reporters the case is open but inactive. Green said the first 48 hours after a crime are the most important. After that period, the leads dwindle.

Many residents believe this was an inside job because the burglars seemed to target certain computers and knew how to avoid security camera detection.

Police have not said if there were any incidents of identity theft reported as a result of the break-in. If the burglars didn't want the computers for ID theft, what else could they have been looking for?

The case should not be considered closed until arrests are made. This was a crime against every Hattiesburg resident and shouldn't be forgotten.