CU Police: Unlocked offices, common areas targeted in rash of wallet, laptop thefts

The University of Colorado Police Department has received reports of a high number of thefts during the month of October. Since Oct. 2, UCPD has recorded 15 cases of a suspect or suspects stealing laptops and wallets from common areas or unlocked offices.

A thief or thieves have targeted academic building offices, as well as the University Memorial Center. The following buildings have seen thefts in recent weeks: Benson Earth Sciences, Continuing Education, Engineering Center, Environmental Design, Imig Music, Koelbel Building, Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University Theatre, Visual Arts Complex and Woodbury Arts and Sciences.

For a Google Map with dates, locations and stolen items, see http://bit.ly/Oct2012CUthefts. CU Police have also seen a higher number of bike thefts in recent weeks. In nearly all cases, thieves have cut cable locks.

The Police Department offers the following safety tips:

• Always keep your office locked when unattended. That includes when leaving for lunch or using the restroom. 
• In common areas, such as dining facilities, libraries or the University Memorial Center, never leave laptops, mobile phones or other valuable items unattended.
• Record serial numbers of bikes, desktop computers, laptops, mobile phones and other items that could be stolen. If these items are recovered, it is easier to return them to you.
• Register your bike at the CU Bike Stations – east of the UMC or west of the Engineering Center. Register your laptop at the Telecommunications Center, also east of the UMC.
• For more crime prevention tips, see http://police.colorado.edu/crime-prevention-and-safety

If you have information on the recent thefts, please contact CU Police at 303-492-8168. Immediately report suspicious persons and situations to CU Police dispatch at 303-492-6666.