TEXAS COMPUTER STOLEN The Palestine Herald, Palestine, Texas - Mainframe computer stolen from local TVCC campus:

Published: July 13, 2009 08:45 pm

Mainframe computer stolen from local TVCC campus

By PAUL STONE
The Palestine Herald
PALESTINE — A “mainframe computer” containing confidential student information was stolen over the weekend from the Palestine campus of Trinity Valley Community College, according to local authorities.

Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor told the Herald-Press Monday that the computer was stolen from an office inside the Anderson Building at the rear of the campus which is located on Texas 19, north of the Palestine city limits. The building houses the college’s EMT, cosmotology and nursing classes, he added.

The sheriff said the break-in apparently occurred sometime between 10 a.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Monday when it was discovered by a school employee.

Taylor said the computer included student and class information, including grades.

“Unfortunately, there’s personal information on there,” the sheriff said.

Also reported stolen from a separate office in the same building was $30 cash and a $200 check, according to Taylor.

Additionally, a glass container filled with urine was discovered in the office where the money was stolen, according to the sheriff.

The suspect(s) gained entry into the Anderson Building by prying open a back door, according to Taylor.

“There was some evidence removed at the scene,” Taylor said. “We don’t have any named suspects at this time.”

Estimated amount of damage was unknown as of mid-afternoon Monday.

“Of course, they cut a lot of wires (to take the mainframe computer),” the sheriff said. “There will be a lot of damage.”

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Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com