WISCONSIN COMPUTERS STOLEN CrimeTracker 15: Newest Burglary Trend:

CrimeTracker 15: Newest Burglary Trend
Stolen laptops are disappearing and Madison police don't know where they're going.
Reporter: Chris Woodard
Email Address: cwoodard@nbc15.com

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UPDATED: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 --- 5:00 p.m.

Laptop computers are disappearing at an alarming rate and Madison police are at a loss.

They say the odd thing is once stolen they have no idea where the computers are ending up.

In this day and age they've become a lifeline. For students, professionals, just about anybody, laptop computers hold the keys to communication.

UW Grad Student Kristi Martin says, "I feel like everyone here has so much of their life on their computer."

But when Martin got an email warning laptop computer thefts were on the rise, she took note.

She says, "I would definitely be in tears and have no life because everything is on there. But hey it could happen to me."

It could happen to anybody. Madison Police say laptops are the newest burglary target and theft numbers are dramatically increasing.

In the past small, easy to hide and sell electronics were usually taken. Now laptops are disappearing.

Police say what makes these thefts more frustrating than most is once these laptops disappear they have no idea where they're going.

Madison Police Lieutenant Mark Brown says, "They're either being sold on the street or they're taking them out and trading them for drugs or whatever."

In many cases police can locate stolen goods by working with pawn shops, checking online sales sights or hearing about black market sales on the street.

When it comes to laptops they're coming up empty.

"I think the biggest thing that concerns me is people have their personal information on computers," Brown says. "Either they're being sold out on the street to people or they're being shipped elsewhere. It's just a whose who and who can guess what."

And a warning to people like Martin, don't let your laptop out of your site.

Police say many of these computers are being stolen from houses or apartments with unlocked doors or windows.

Their best advice? Don't make yourself a victim and keep things locked away.

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POSTED: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 --- 2:00 p.m.

The newest burglary trend in Madison has police scratching their heads. They say over the last year they have seen a dramatic increase in laptop computer thefts.

What makes the thefts puzzling is police have no idea where these laptops are ending up. In most cases they're able to find stolen items at pawn shops, being sold online, or sold on the street. When it comes to the stolen laptops police say they don't know where or if they're being sold. With the personal information most people have on laptops it's a big concern.

They say the best advice is to make sure you don't make yourself a victim. Lock your doors and windows and if you're out and about don't let your laptop out of your sight.

More on this story tonight on NBC15 News at 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m