Elon students respond to theft around campus

By Brian Mezerski

More than $5000 in property have been stolen from 11 Elon University students’ vehicles, according to Elon Town Police reports.

Thirteen reports of larceny have been filed since April 13, with 10 reports involving theft from a motor vehicle.

“I’ve been checking my locks all the time lately and I’m always re-checking my car door,” said senior Jena Eisenberg, who had items stolen.  “I kind of had a nightmare about it.”

Elon Town Police say the theft happened to unlocked vehicles on West Trollinger Avenue, Brookview Drive and Woodale Drive.  Students had items such as GPS units, iPods and other audio equipment stolen.

“These are financially motivated,” said Lt. Lyle Anibal of Elon Town Police.  “Someone just went on a run.  They went to different areas and tried to get as much or many of these little electronic devices as possible.”

Junior Bobby Renner had several items stolen from his car on Friday, April 13.  Renner said the items stolen were valued at more than $250.

“There was a mess in the car,” Renner said, “and I looked in and noticed a couple of things were missing.  They’re definitely going to make some money off of them if I don’t get them back.”

Students have not had their possessions returned or know who stole the items, since the incidents are still under investigation.

Eisenberg said she now makes sure she locks her car doors and says it’s a lesson learned.

“In the end, I actually think it was good,” Eisenberg said.  “I needed a little reality check before I left college and now I’m definitely taking my stuff out.”

Police say there are several ways students can keep their property safe in the parking lot:

• Always close their windows and lock car doors.
• Be aware of their surroundings and call Elon Town Police immediately if they see a suspicious person.
• Keep serial numbers to all personal items.  Police said that it is easier to track and find missing items if they know the serial numbers.

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.