TEXAS COMPUTERS STOLEN Laptops reported stolen in residence halls - News:

Laptops reported stolen in residence halls
Issue date: 3/3/09 Section: News

Laptop computers were stolen from three rooms in Chitwood Residence Hall Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday evening.

Col. Gordon Hoffman, deputy chief of the Texas Tech Police Department said the burglaries still are being investigated. He said an investigator has been assigned to the case and is interviewing roommates, neighbors and other possible witnesses. He said no suspects have been identified to his knowledge and the department is not yet sure if the burglaries are connected.

Hoffman said one room was left unsecured, another door was propped open and the form of entry from the other case is still unknown. Hoffman said there were no pry marks on the door to indicate a forced entry. He said the student may have left the door slightly open.

"We encourage people to be sure the door is secured when they leave," Hoffman said.

Computers and iPods are "hot items" that are stolen quite often on campus, he said.

It is important to make sure items of value are not left in sight of those outside, Hoffman said, even in cars. He said in the current state of the economy, people are desperate.

He said one way to prevent burglaries in residence halls is to make sure others cannot "tailgate," or follow students with TechID cards into the residence halls, past security doors.

Individuals who do not have identification cards to get past security should not be let in, Hoffman said, and that could be a link to the burglaries.

Hoffman said the police department will attempt to gather serial numbers from the owners of the computers and will attempt to find and seize the property.

D'aun Green, unit associate director for University Student Housing, said she spoke with Tech Police Monday morning and did not discover any new information. She said she is unsure of the status of the case and is not aware of any suspects in the case.