by Christopher Sanchez
Daily Lobo
More than 10 student employees at the UNM Bookstore are being investigated for internal theft, said David Harris, acting president of the University.
Authorities say they do not know how much merchandise or money was lost, but a statement released by Harris on Tuesday stated it was "significant."
Internal auditors will provide a figure once the investigation is completed, Harris said.
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"It's complicated," Harris said during a phone interview. "It requires a lot of tedious analysis."
The incident was reported to the UNM Police Department in August, said Lt. Pat Davis, spokesman for the department.
Student employees are being investigated to see if they were involved in the incident or if they knew about it and did not report it, Harris said.
Authorities would not say if the student employees have been terminated.
No arrests have been made, Davis said.
Melanie Sparks, director of the Bookstore, would not comment on the incident.
The Dean of Students Office is reviewing the incident but no decisions have been made, said Walt Miller, associate vice president of student development.
Students involved in the incident will be subject to disciplinary action once the investigation is concluded, Harris said.
The incident was referred to the District Attorney's Office last week but has not been reviewed, said Todd Heisey, chief deputy district attorney.
The office will review the incident and see if charges are appropriate, Heisey said. It will be looked at soon, he said.
Harris said the incident was reported to him about 10 days ago. He released Tuesday's statement because students were leaking information about the investigation, he said.
Updated security systems at the Bookstore revealed suspicious activity and led to the investigation, according to the statement.
The University will seek compensation of lost property, according to the statement.
