GEORGIA COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM COLLEGEThe Emory Wheel - Series of thefts reported; burglars target computersNews

Series of thefts reported; burglars target computers

February 18, 2005

Three Apple G-4 laptops and several other items were stolen in a rash of thefts that struck three separate residence halls Monday evening, causing a loss of $7,000 of property, according to the Emory Police Department.

The string of heists, which took place over a span of a little more than three hours, started around 5 p.m. on the second floor of Dobbs Residence Hall. College freshman Peter Krzywicki called EPD around 5:30 p.m. to report that his laptop, Sony Playstation and book bag had been stolen from his room. EPD learned of the second incident when College freshman Brittany Thomasson, a resident on the third floor of Longstreet Residence Hall, called around 7:10 p.m. to report that her laptop was missing. The last call to EPD came around 8:15 p.m. from the second floor of Smith Residence Hall after College freshman Vishal Goyal entered his room to find that his laptop, keyboard, wireless mouse and a Casio digital camera belonging to College sophomore Zishan Mohammed had all been stolen.

EPD Lt. Cheryl Elliott said there is a strong likelihood that the three incidents are related.

“The EPD is looking for people who were in those three buildings at the time of theft who may have seen suspicious people,” Elliott said.

She said that a Smith Residence Hall resident reported seeing two strangers in the residence hall during the time of the theft. They were described as a black man and a black woman, both wearing gray sweatpants, Elliott said. The man also wore some clothing with a camouflage print. EPD will continue its effort to identify these strangers to see if they have any information about the theft, Elliott said.

If students notice any suspicious behavior on campus, Elliott suggested that they immediately report to their sophomore or resident advisers, or call EPD’s phone line from any campus phone at 7-TIPS.

“If you notice someone unlawfully entering your hall, let someone know,” Elliott said. “Take that kind of community responsibility to make your dorm a safer place.”

Elliott also stressed that students keep their doors locked at all times. Each student who reported an item missing to EPD had left his or her room unlocked while away.

Interrupted by a message from an EPD officer who found the outside door to Longstreet propped open on Wednesday evening, Elliott warned that keeping dorms open can also increase theft.

“The University locks all the doors and provides residents with keys,” Elliott said. “After that, students also need to take responsibility.”

Mohammed also stressed the importance of keeping doors locked.

“Everyone assumes that their stuff isn’t going to be stolen, but really, it can happen to anyone,” he said.