Theft in student dorms
By Brian Mezerski
Students on the second-floor of Smith dorm reported several of their personal belongings stolen Feb. 5. Freshman Hans Bredahl and his roommate returned to their room after watching the Super Bowl in another dorm and found that their laptops were missing.
“It’s terrible. There’s a guy that’s just a kleptomaniac practically taking anything they can get their eyes on,” Bredahl said. “It’s just crazy that they probably walk the halls, check the door handles, and if they’re not locked, grabbing something and getting on with their day.”
Bredahl estimated that his laptop, containing personal files and private information, was worth $1300. He called campus security the night his laptop disappeared and campus police is still investigating. Bredahl later posted on the Smith dorm’s Facebook page asking for his laptop back.
Other students living on the second-floor have also had items stolen within the last month such as laptops, iPods and iPads. Bredahl says there is now tension on the hall because everyone who had something stolen simply wants their items returned.
“We know someone’s doing it,” Bredahl said. “A lot of people are pointing fingers, but that doesn’t bring a good environment here.”
Freshman Steven Saul had his iPod stolen. He now sees other people on the hall becoming less comfortable with each other.
“It was surprising,” Saul said. “ I wasn’t too surprised because there’s always going to be people like that in the world. It bothered me a bit but there was nothing much I could do after that.”
Bredahl thinks there is one simple way to prevent an incident like this from occurring again on his floor or any dorm across campus.
“Everyone just needs to just start double checking their doors, even windows,” Bredahl said. “People can break into windows, and there’s definitely a situation going on where people are taking everything.”
Bredahl still hopes to get his laptop back and that the person who stole the items confesses. But for now, anytime he leaves his room, he follows his own advice and locks the door.
Chuck Gantos, chief of Elon Campus Security and Police, said that the incident at Smith dorm is still under investigation and that he could not comment.
If you have any information about the recent thefts in the Smith dorm, contact campus police at 336-278-5555.
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