TEXAS COMPUTER STOLEN http://www.trinitonian.com/2011/04/10/tupd-thwarts-computer-theft/

TUPD thwarts computer theft

admin | April 10th, 2011 - 11:07 pm

TUPD, professor’s wife, catch three men who allegedly stole computer from Cowles

by Tommie Ethington

Three males were charged with theft of a Trinity University laptop computer taken from the Cowles Life Science Building last week. The computer is considered university property but is used regularly by Troy Murphy, an assistant professor of biology.

Murphy, his wife and their seven-year-old daughter first encountered the suspects in the first floor hallway of the science building near his office and laboratory. He described the men in their early twenties as “shady-looking characters with tattoos and very red eyes.”

Lauren Hickman, senior, also reported seeing the men earlier that day.

“I was walking back to my apartment off campus, and the three men stopped me to ask for directions to Trinity,” Hickman said.

Hickman described the suspects as in their mid-twenties, of average height and wearing baggy clothes.

“They didn’t look like your typical clean-cut Trinity student and were acting suspicious, so I called (Trinity University Police Department). They told me they’d send someone over to the area,” Hickman said.

“It sounded like they were going to do something, but it didn’t seem that they were terribly concerned because I wasn’t on campus.”

Some time later, the suspects found their way to the campus where they began walking the halls of the science center.

Murphy believes they entered through the northwest door of the building and may have been hiding in the back of the lab while he talked with his family.

“I saw one of the three men and I remember thinking that he was shady,” Murphy said. “We walked past the lab, and I think the other two were hiding in the back. I was in my office for less than a minute and when I went back to the lab, I realized my laptop was gone.”

At Murphy’s request, a colleague phoned TUPD, and officers were on the scene within minutes.

Nicole Murphy, the professor’s wife, followed the suspects on foot and pointed them out to the officers.

“She’s really the hero in the situation,” Murphy said. “TUPD had the description of the men, but from the back they looked like students, so it would have been hard to find them without her help.”

According to Pete Perez, assistant chief of TUPD, the men were stopped by officers behind the science building, just north of the Coates Library. The suspects told officers they were headed to a bus stop located on Hildebrand Avenue and that they had been on campus visiting one of the suspect’s cousins, who attended Trinity. According to Perez, that story “never panned out.”

“When we caught up to them, they weren’t considered suspects yet. We were just conducting an investigation,” Perez said. “But then we noticed that one of them was carrying a bag. Inside the bag we found the stolen laptop and some clothes that they used to hide the laptop.”

After Murphy confirmed the identity of the suspects and the stolen computer, the three individuals were taken back to TUPD headquarters and formally were charged with the theft. They were then taken to a nearby jail, where bonds have been set until they receive their court date.

Due to the value of the laptop — which is appraised at $1,500 — Perez said the degree of theft will be much higher, and their punishment will likely be more serious, if they are convicted, than if someone were to “steal a candy bar.”

According to Perez, the personal records of all three men indicated involvement in previous theft-related crimes.

“That’s also going to enhance whatever punishment they do receive,” Perez said.

Both Murphy and Perez believe that there is a valuable lesson to be learned.

“The stolen laptop was one of the few computers that isn’t locked up. Most have security cables attached to them,” Murphy said. “Now, I keep every computer and all of my valuables locked up.”

Murphy, who noted that security is made more difficult by the ongoing construction of the new science building, said it’s important to remain alert.

“The building is torn half open, so it makes it a lot easier for people to come in and out, and there are always people in here that we don’t know. So it’s important to be on the lookout for potential threats,” Murphy said.

Murphy also noted that TUPD did a superb job in responding to the threat.

“I was very impressed,” Murphy said. “The officers were very thorough, engaged and active. I even had the computer back the next day.”

Aside from being vigilant in protecting personal property, Perez said it’s also important for students, staff and faculty to report suspicious behavior.

“We can’t be everywhere at once, so everyone else needs to be our eyes and ears. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to give us a call,” Perez said. “That’s what we’re here for and together we’ll get the suspects and be able to keep the campus safe.”