-Staff Report
The UNM Police Department is asking for help from UNM faculty, staff and students in their efforts to apprehending individuals responsible for a recent rash of computer thefts and safecracking incidents on campus.
“This type of activity is not that unusual,” UNM Detective Mike McGinnis said in a news release. “What is unusual is the recent frequency of these incidents,” he said.
Since March, McGinnis said, computers have been reported stolen from various campus buildings. The UNM Student Service Center tops the list with seven thefts reported, but incidents have also been reported from Mesa Vista Hall and the Economics Building.
Three safes have also been forcefully broken into since May 21 in offices in Marron Hall, Clark Hall and the Electrical and Computer Engineering Building.
McGinnis said UNM faculty, staff and students should use common sense precautions. For example, when an office purchases new computers, the empty boxes should not be left out in the hallway. They should be removed immediately. New computers should be immediately tagged for inventory. He also encouraged people to be careful where they place things and make sure that they lock up their personal and office valuables.
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He said that safes should be placed in locations where they are not easily accessible or obvious to just anyone.
“People need to be wary about who’s around and what they’re doing,” McGinnis said.
Lt. James Daniels, the department’s public information officer, said UNM faculty, staff and students who think they have information that might be useful in solving the thefts should call UNM Crimestoppers at 277-STOP or 277-7867 or UNM Police at 277-2241. Callers may be eligible for a cash reward for the information they provide.
Daniels urged people who observe suspicious activity or individuals on campus to call campus police.
