Thanks to tips from a couple of observant people, a long string of campus computer thefts may have come to an end in late July with a pair of arrests. The first suspect in that investigation — Garry J.R. Sommerfeld, 31, Pullman, a WSU custodian with Facilities Operations — is scheduled to appear in Whitman County Court, Colfax, on Oct. 11 to enter his plea and then on Oct. 21 to stand trial.
Despite the arrest of two suspects, however, WSU police know that computer thefts will not come to a grinding halt. As a result, the police are encouraging faculty, staff and students to watch and be cautious, and to report suspicious activities to the police department or a college official.
Police Chief Steve Hansen said department records show that the Pullman campus averages about $37,000 in computer thefts each year from offices, classrooms, and university owned and managed residences (not fraternities, sororities and apartments).
“These thefts are costly to us all,” said Lori Lamb, associate vice president of Business Affairs. “It affects how we live, our sense of security, it increases tuition costs and taxes, and it cuts into our operating budget. Like everywhere else, the police department has limited staffing, and to do it’s job effectively it requires help from the entire community, which means we all need to stay alert and be willing to get involved.”
The police department received a couple tips about some suspicious activity in late June. Following those leads, investigators put together evidence, received a search warrant and made two arrests. On July 15, Sommerfeld was booked into Whitman County Jail. Four days later, Sami-Jon Daniel McIntosh, 23, Pullman, a WSU graduate student was also arrested. Both have been released on their own recognizance, with limited movement, pending court dates for Sommerfeld and official charges for McIntosh.
The search warrants allowed police to inspect the residences of the two suspects and two local storage units.
“Once we got the tips, it went very quickly,” said Hansen.
“The amount of items the officers seized was pretty substantial. The fact that the warrants included two storage units kind of indicates the amount of material we are dealing with. The value of the items we seized — which includes both computers and components — is currently at about $100,000.”
Serial numbers from cataloged items currently show parts and computers linked to thefts ranging back two years from several buildings, including dormitories, various living units and office buildings, such as the Information Technology Building and the Smith Center for Undergraduate Education.
Sommerfeld, who has worked for WSU since the fall of 1999, was charged with trafficking in stolen property, felony theft and second-degree burglary. McIntosh was booked into the Whitman County Jail on suspicion of possession of stolen property and being an accessory to second-degree burglary.
Hansen said his department is working on the case in cooperation with investigators from the Pullman and Virginia Beach, Va., where one laptop was shipped. Eventually, the investigation may include other law enforcement agencies.
Overall thefts on campus during the past six years have cost more than $861,860. Totals by year include:
1997 – $151,232
1998 – $110,172
1999 – $124,761
2000 – $194,649
2001 – $171,650
2002 – $109,358 (to date)
If thefts continue at the current rate, this year’s total will hit in excess of $174,000.
These thefts typically include items such as back packs, wallets, laptop computers, zip drives, external hard drives, books, clothing, parking permits, printers, compact discs, software and other items that can be picked up quickly.
The most common mistake people make, said Linda Jusza-Schaff, records manager for the police department, is leaving items unattended in the student union building, library or office area.
“They go to get food or go to bathroom and leave items on a table for just a few minutes and return to discover them gone,” Jusza-Schaff said. “Most crimes on campus are crimes of opportunity. People don’t set out or plot to steal something, they just see the item and they take advantage of the situation.”
Hansen said there are several things faculty and staff can do to prevent thefts and other crimes:
• Put easy-to-steal items (laptop computers, purses, back packs, etc.) out of view.
• Lock office doors whenever an area is going to be unattended, or at the end of the day.
• Notify other people in the office if you are going to be out for a few minutes.
• Watch for and report suspicious behavior.
• Protect other people’s belongings, as well as state-owned items.
• If you are in a public, high-traffic area, take valuable items with you or leave them with someone you can trust.
• Use computer cables/locks to secure computer items to your desk (cost: $25 – $30).
• Engrave a serial number or identification number on items, possibly in places you can’t readily see. This will allow the police to identify it as yours and increase the likelihood of its return.
“One of the most important things people can do is be inquisitive,” said Hansen. “If unknown people are in your area, ask, ‘Can I help you?’ Criminals work on the theory of being anonymous. If you come up and chat with them, they are no longer anonymous and will leave.
“Also, if someone has an inordinate amount of computer or electronic equipment in their house, people should report it,” Hansen said.
Other tips on safety and on-campus crime statistics can be found at www.wsu.edu/safety.
