[October 05, 2008] Laptop theft a problem Tweet (The Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 5--MENOMONIE -- When opportunity knocks, thieves gladly will answer when it comes to laptop computers. Whether they are in unlocked vehicles or homes or left unattended by a student, laptops can be easy to steal, according to local authorities. "They are definitely a crime of opportunity," UW-Stout Chief of Police Lisa Walter said of laptop thefts. "Criminals are lazy. Smaller computers are easy to hide, and no one ever questions anyone walking down the street with a laptop." Thefts of laptops have been about the same the last three years in Menomonie, according to police records, although there has been a rash of them in a little more than a month. So far this year, seven laptops have been reported stolen; five of those have been taken since Aug. 31. Thefts totaled 11 last year and nine in 2006. The problem is much worse, however, on campus. According to UW-Stout data, 34 university laptops were stolen in 2007. So far in 2008, the number is at 19, said Doug Wahl, chief information officer. Wahl said 95 to 99 percent of those thefts occur when computers are unsecured or are left in an unlocked home, residence hall or vehicle. Menomonie police investigator Brian Hagen agreed that opportunity drives laptop thefts. "A lot of the thefts we see were in unlocked residences or unlocked cars," he said. Wahl estimates the computers' value at $500 to $1,500 apiece, depending on age, although laptops in two of the recent thefts in the city were valued at $2,000 apiece. Because UW-Stout issues laptops to each of its nearly 9,000 students, there are plenty of laptops in the city. All of the five recent city thefts outside of campus were in south side neighborhoods near the university. Three laptops were taken from homes, two were taken from cars. In two cases, the laptop was the only item stolen. At UW-Eau Claire, an average of one laptop has been reported stolen on campus each year since 2005, according to Dave Sprick, chief of university police. One has been stolen this calendar year; none has been stolen since school began in September. Any laptops at UW-Eau Claire are privately owned, unlike those issued to UW-Stout students. Powers can be reached at 715-235-9018 or pamela. [email protected]. Walter To see more of The Leader-Telegram or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.leadertelegram.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]