Police: Gang Linked to Mac School Thefts
10:16 am, November 24th, 2009, Nicole Martinelli
Back to Books: Mac-less students Lucy Ramsdale and Paige Eversden. @Southern Times Messenger
Australian police are after an organized gang they believe is behind 80 Mac thefts from schools.
Nearly 80 Apple computers (laptops and desktops) have been ripped off from 15 schools in the state of South Australia this year, along with a number of screen projectors for a total loot count police place at about $90,000 ($100,000 AUD).
Thieves wore gloves to eliminate fingerprints and knew exactly how much time they had to get in and out — in one case only swiping half of the MacBooks available. The thefts took place at suburban schools, in one case a Christian K-12.
“At times there are individual computers taken but they’re more opportunistic thefts,” Chief-Inspector Dennis Lock told local papers. “The short time it took for the thieves to steal the computers before security arrived indicates this was a more planned, organized and coordinated attack.”
A 16-year-old was arrested last week after he was allegedly found in possession of some computers stolen from the college.
Lock said police investigations were continuing and urged anyone who had been sold a cheap computer in the past week to contact police.
Students Lucy Ramsdale and Paige Eversdenwere disappointed by the thefts because they used the computer room “two or three times a week” for study.
“A student came in on Monday looking for a computer that he’d saved work on, and it wasn’t there anymore,” school principal Felicity Hickman said.
Word to wise students everywhere: save your work on a USB key.
Posted by Nicole Martinelli in News | Comment on this article
… and in other Macintosh news: a guy named Mac McDonald ate a Big Mac in Mackinaw, Wisconsin ….
Urban yoofs steal expensive items ….
Yet another useless Martinelli entry.
CaryMG, on November 24th, 2009 at 11:54 am
I was going to thank you for another useless anonymous comment, but you made me think that I left out the fact that they’re schools in suburbs, and in at least one case, a Christian k-12.
I’ve amended the story.
So, thanks!
Nicole Martinelli, on November 24th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
yet another useless carymg comment.
firesign3000, on November 24th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Stealing from schools always makes me think that these are the sort of people who would happily kick a person off their crutches.
Fairly obvious they targetted these schools due to the high market value of Apple kit, shame but hopefully the local authority wll have had insurance and will insist on better security in future.
Fuzzypig, on November 24th, 2009 at 12:33 pm