Car radios, speakers, radar detectors, ashtrays, VIN plates and articles left inside of the cars are the primary targets.
Evidence indicates that the would-be thief is typically dropped off in a parking lot or on a side street, while the second suspect remains with the car. The get-away car will either roam around the campus (until pick-up time) or as we have found in some cases, the driver of the get-away car will park their vehicle nearby, crouch down in the seat and wait until a score has been made.
The suspect on foot walks along the street or through a parking lot glancing into the cars. When this suspect spots a likely target vehicle, that suspect gains entrance to the car by using a 'slim-jim' device, though an unlocked door or by breaking a window (about half of the victimized vehicles have had broken windows). The suspect then lies across the front seat and in a matter of about 2 minutes is able to remove the radio, speakers etc.
The burglary suspect will either wait for the pick-up vehicle to drive by, or will hurry to a designated are (where the get-away vehicle is parked).
We have found that when a burglary is committed during the day time, that the suspect will often hide the stolen property and return for it after dark.
Keep your doors locked - thieves usually look for the easier target. Breaking into vehicles is a last resort.
While walking around campus, be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious activity, vehicles or persons to the Campus Police.
Try to remember and report the license plate number and description of suspicious vehicles (we do maintain an intelligence file for dissemination to patrol officers).
The Campus police are investigating reported thefts from several residence hall rooms, as well as from a fraternity in our peripheral property area.
In the cases of the resident hall burglaries, no visible evidence of a 'breaking and entering' has been found. This leads us to believe that access to the rooms was gained by entry through an unlocked door or window or through the use of a key.
At the fraternity building, access was most likely gained through an unlocked window area.
If you are going to be gone for an extended period of time (weekend or more) secure your valuable (radios, jewelry, clocks, computers etc.).
Always keep money, wallets, pocketbooks, or jewelry in a locked area out of sight.
Never lend your keys to anyone (or make duplicates for friends).
Report all doors, locks, or windows in need of repair to Residential Services, your landlord or maintenance personnel.
Give feedback: newspeak@wpi.wpi.edu