Volume CXXXIII, Number 2 September 14, 2001 f

Crime in the pines
KITTY SULLIVAN
A&E Editor

Over the past two weekends, Bowdoin witnessed a sharp increase in theft-thefts that have left students concerned and Security in pursuit of an elusive thief.

On Sunday, September 2, students in Coles Tower called Bowdoin Security to report CDs and other items missing from residences. In that same time frame, a laptop computer from Moore Hall and camera equipment outside an office were both reported as missing? Each theft occurred during daylight and involved valuable items.

Several students in the tower reported seeing a suspicious male, described as Caucasian, approximately 5'11" with dirty blond hair.

While Security cannot decisively say if the crimes were connected, Director of Security, Bruce Boucher did say, "there is a pattern, which may or may not be a coincidence." However, he did rule out the possibility of the incidents being pranks and said, "the crimes were definitely with the intention to deprive people of their property."

Bowdoin Security has been working closely with the Brunswick Police Department on the case, and the crimes are still being "actively investigated," according to Boucher. Because two of the thefts took place in residences, they are classified as a burglary, a Class B felony that usually carries a one year jail sentence.

The third theft, which occurred outside an office door, is also being classified as a Class B felony because of the value of the items stolen.

In response to the burglaries, some dorms are taking more security measures. For example, Stowe Inn's main entryway, previously open 24 hours a day, is now locked at all times.

Though Boucher does not necessarily believe that crime is on the rise at Bowdoin, he did observe that the burglaries are in keeping with a cyclic pattern of lulls, followed by a rash of thefts throughout the past few years. Because all of the incidents took place in "insecure" areas, Security urged students to take precautions to avoid future thefts. He emphasized common sense preventative measures, and reminded students to "lock doors, be vigilant, and notify security if something is suspicious."

Anyone with additional information about the string of thefts should contact Bowdoin Security at x3314.