Sudden spree of theft in dorms, offices

By Allison Sundaram

Three laptops, an iPod and a wallet were among items stolen in a one- and-a-half hour period Monday from dorms and office buildings.

The thefts, which have been attributed to two, possibly three, suspects, took place between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. according to Charlie Arolla, director of Campus Safety.

Arolla said there was nothing that indicated the men were students.

The thieves stole laptops and an iPod from unlocked rooms in Swig and Dunne halls, a laptop from the Heafey Law Library, a wallet and cell phone from a locked Bannan Hall office, items from a university office building off campus, and attempted to enter rooms in Nobili, Swig and Bannan.

In Nobili, a resident was awakened from a nap by scratching at her door, Arolla said. When she opened it, a person matching the description of one of the thieves was outside, while in Swig, a resident's door had tool marks around the lock.

The thieves were "well organized," Arolla said, in their abilities to go through buildings quickly, try doors, access remote offices and respond to people when challenged.

In Bannan, the theft was reported in the Modern Language department. Jill Pellettieri, a professor in the Spanish department, had her wallet and cell phone stolen from her purse, which was in her locked office, sometime during her 10:30 to 11:35 a.m. class.

Although annoyed with the problems of cancelling credit cards, Pellettieri said she was glad the theft wasn't by a member of the Santa Clara community.

"It would have been more creepy if it was someone on campus, that would be more disconcerting," Pellettieri said. "But it's a hassle to have to take care of all this stuff."

According to an e-mail sent by Arolla to the campus, the thieves entered residence halls by tailgating, following students into the building who had access to that dorm.

Tailgating is a common problem at Santa Clara, according to Scott Strawn, director of residence life.

"I think it's a consistent perennial problem. Students are in a default position at Santa Clara to be polite, hold the door open for people," Strawn said. "We all like that we have a nice friendly community, but I think it's important that security does take priority."

Strawn said that in addition to regular meetings and notices, as a result of Monday's break-ins, housing staff hosted floor meetings and sent out e-mails reminding students about closing and locking their doors.

"It's our expectation that students don't let people in the community if they don't know if they live here."

In addition to locking doors and closing the door to residence halls, students are also advised to use a security cable for their laptop, locking the computer to a desk much like a bike lock, according to the e-mail sent by Arolla.

The thefts are under investigation by the Santa Clara Police.

The suspects are described by Campus Safety as African-American men in their early 20s. The first is between 5-feet-10-inches and 6-feet tall, with medium complexion and two gold-plated front teeth. The second man has short hair and is 5-feet-7-inches. The third is a 6-foot-1-inch man with a skinny build, a goatee, short black hair with waves and has a light complexion.

Contact Allison Sundaram at (408) 554-4546 or asundaram@scu.edu.