ILLINOIS COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM SCHOOLHoliday Thieves Strike

Holiday Thieves Strike
By: Arnold Wyrick

Carbondale, Illinois - It wasn't a warm welcome back from many SIU professors, students and dozens of homeowners throughout Carbondale.

Many of them came home to their place ransacked, and their belongings missing. One of the hardest hit were the classrooms and offices in Pulliam Hall, in the Curriculum and Instruction Department. Thieves walked away with more then $16,000.00 in computers, and digital camera equipment.

"We go under the assumption that we live and work in a secure environment. But now that has changed," says Joe Kallo Ph.D. and the C.N.I. Technology Coordinator.

"The equipment that was stolen in the Wham Building were these Apple Laptop Computers, there very nice ones. They're used on a daily basis, that has caused us a real problem," said Doctor Kallo.

It's not know how the thieves got into the buildings over the Christmas break, because there was no forced entry. The only way into the classrooms, and Doctor Kallo's office is with a key.

But the SIU professor and his students aren't alone in their concern over stolen items, so are more then 40 homeowners across Carbondale.

"We're basically seeing a lot of laptop computers, desk top computers, stereo equipment, and DVD games, and movies. Also some loose change too," says Officer Randy Mathis Carbondale Police Department.

"So far we've made four arrests in connection to some of these burglaries. We've also got a warrant out for a fifth suspect. But we really don't know at this time if we're dealing with a ring of thieves, or just several individuals," Officer Mathis said.

Some victims were fortunate enough to get some of their stolen items returned.

"They found a fire safe,and a satellite receiver. I really didn't expect to ever get any of this stuff back. So I was pretty happy when the police called," says Ryan Coffey of Carbondale.

"I have two other roommates, and I had only stepped out for about an hour. When I came back our place was wrecked," Coffey said.

Police do point out that there are a couple of things you should do if your home has been broken into.

"First of all don't go in, because you don't know if they might still be in there. Leave and call the police immediately, let us be the first ones to go in. The other thing we're concerned about is there is often times evidence in there, that can be disturbed by the resident looking around their home. That's stuff we can use to build a case with, and possibly arrest a suspect," Officer Mathis said.

Also police say it's a good idea to make a list of all the electronic equipment in your home, with serial numbers. And document, and other high priced items such as jewelry, and art work. Photographs of the items, can also be used to identify them as yours, if they are recovered