ILLINOIS COMPUTERS STOLEN http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2010/12/21/14-computers-stolen-from-pilsen-arts-center/

14 Computers Stolen From Pilsen Arts Center

December 21, 2010 1:57 PM

CHICAGO (STMW) – Pros Arts Studio is hoping for a Christmas miracle. Someone burglarized the community group’s Pilsen neighborhood headquarters this past weekend, and the arts organization is looking for the public’s support to help replace the 14 computers stolen from its youth computer lab.

The burglar or burglars took several laptops from from Pros Arts’ headquarters on 1119 W. Cullerton St. sometime between 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Monday, a Harrison Area property crimes detective said. A Chicago Police evidence technician was sent to investigate after the break-in was discovered, but police have no leads and no one is in custody as of Tuesday afternoon, police said.

The group’s insurance does not cover the entire loss of nine MacBook Pro laptops and five iMac desktops from their youth computer lab, according to their website. The group, funded largely by private, local and grants as well as public funding, operates out of a Park District building and has been bringing arts programs to Chicago schoolchildren for more than 30 years.

“This loss is beyond material–it devastates our community at a much deeper level,” Pros Arts Studio’s Executive Director Giselle Mercier said in a message posted on their website. “In our mission to delivering arts programming, we are also committed to eliminating the technology and digital divide in our community, these computers were vital in delivering media classes for youth, adults and seniors.”

The group is asking for donations through their website www.prosarts.org or by mail at P.O. Box 08191, Chicago IL, 60628.

Harrison Area detectives are investigating the burglary.