Police investigate winter break thefts

"We got robbed, and there is nothing we can do," said Brian Huizingh, creative writing sophomore. He said he lost about $20 in small items.

The residents told police the items were locked in their rooms when they left the hall, 910 E. Fifth St., for winter break, but gone when they returned.

The exact value of the missing items was $1,928, according to police reports.

"We're taking it with a grain of salt," said Darren Lees, finance freshman, of the wing's reaction to the burglary.

He said he lost a 14-karat ring, a knife and some other items when the burglar went through his drawers.

"I was really mad," Lees said.

Detective Sgt. Sal Celi of the University of Arizona Police Department said the investigation of the burglaries started yesterday. He said the investigation will focus on who had access to the residence hall over the winter break.

Jim Van Arsdel, director of the Department of Residence Life, said few people have access to the residence halls.

"There are a limited number of people who have a justifiable reason for having a key," he said.

Van Arsdel said people who might have access to keys other than Residence Life employees are from the Department of Risk Management and the Department of Facilities Management.

Stacey LaBorde, administrative associate to the director of Facilities Management, said the department had no work orders for the residence hall during the winter break.

Van Arsdel said Residence Life staff members were changing air filters in the Arizona-Sonora rooms during the break.

Van Arsdel also recognized that a burglary of this many rooms is rare.

"Certainly on this scale, it doesn't happen," Van Arsdel said. "In my 11 years at the university, only once do I remember something like this."

He said these thefts may also happen on a smaller scale, and bicycle theft also tends to be a problem over break.

Lt. Brian Seastone, a UAPD spokesman, said about two or three years ago that one residence hall was heavily burglarized over winter break. He said those cases are "very rare."

"It was a crime of opportunity," Seastone said.

Compared to the last few years, Seastone said residence hall thefts have seemed to rise, but he said this does not mean thefts will rise this year.

Casey Donoyan, political science junior and Arizona-Sonora's hall government president, said he is disturbed that people had access to the rooms over the break. Donoyan lost a Sega Genesis game system, some videos and a flashlight.

"I don't feel safe on campus," Donoyan said. He said last semester his bike was stolen.

"Every time I leave the room, something could happen," Donoyan said. He said he double-checks to see if his door is locked whenever he leaves.

Donoyan also said the other residents in the hall are "genuinely concerned" about the burglaries.

Van Arsdel said winter break burglaries are common at a university.

"On a broader sense for the university community, or university communities around the country for that matter, theft is common around the semester break," Van Arsdel said.

He said people know the break is a good opportunity because students are leaving.

Students were given question and answer forms regarding what to do when leaving for the break, and Van Arsdel said the list stated that residents could leave items in the rooms but should know the university staff will be working in the hall.

"We ask them to not bring valuables or jewelry in the first place," Van Arsdel said.

But the winter break is not the only time when items are stolen.

Lees said he has had clothes stolen from the hall's laundry room. He said anything left alone for a period of time without anyone watching is vulnerable to being taken.

Donoyan said he is going to take his belongings with him when he leaves for spring break in March.