Thief posing as construction worker caught by Public Safety

By: Daniel Bortz

Posted: 11/1/07

Department of Public Safety arrested a suspect earlier this week in response to a stolen laptop incident from Newhouse III on Oct. 22. The arrest was made after confirming details from an eyewitness account.

The investigation is still ongoing as DPS seeks additional information, as well as exploring the possibility of an accomplice, said Chief Anthony Callisto.

"Faculty and staff typically immediately report crime to DPS so we can respond and apprehend a suspect or conduct an investigation," Callisto said.

The suspect allegedly disguised as a maintenance worker to avoid detection, said Rosanna Grassi, associate dean for student affairs at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. This method of concealment enabled the thief to blend in with construction workers completing Newhouse III.

Newhouse adjunct Doug Strahler confirmed the stolen computer belonged to him. He said he left his laptop in room 254 on the morning of Oct. 22. Upon his return, his laptop had disappeared. He then notified Newhouse administrators as well as DPS.

"No one has come forward to say they witnessed the suspect talking with other 'maintenance workers,' so as of yet, there is no reason to suspect the person had an accomplice," said Susan Nash, Newhouse director of administration.

Despite the building's dedication on Sept. 19, a majority of classrooms and workspaces are still under construction. However, Callisto maintains that Newhouse III was not especially susceptible to theft as a result of it not being fully completed.

"There are several larcenies that occur in campus buildings each year, and Newhouse is no more prone to larcenies than any other building," Callisto said. "Our Crime Prevention Unit offers tips (for students and faculty) on how to minimize larcenies."

Generally, when a crime is committed on campus, DPS issues an e-mail notification to inform all students of the incident and necessary precautions to take.

These warnings usually include when and where the incident took place, a description of the suspect, a telephone number for any additional information and a list of safety precautions for students to remember.

However, in this particular case, no such e-mail was sent.

"DPS typically sends out alerts only if there is a physical threat of harm to the university community," Callisto said. "This case was a larceny; there was and is no indication of any physical threat."

Despite the absence of any physical threat, Newhouse administration is taking the incident seriously. On the morning of the reported theft, Nash e-mailed Newhouse faculty, reminding them to secure their belongings.

"We've been working to create a more secure environment for both our students as well as ourselves," Grassi said. "With all of the safety precautions in place, I do not feel unsafe, nor do I feel there is any way to improve the security measurements."

One of these safety precautions is a key-card system for the Newhouse buildings, which restricts access to the school at specific times.

Nash also suggested an ID system for all maintenance workers so that students and faculty would know who belongs in the buildings. However, Nash explained how that type of system is not part of the contract between the school and the construction company, so it has yet to be institutionalized.

"I think a lot rests on individual vigilance," said Newhouse Dean David Rubin. "We don't have a lockdown system in this school, nor does any building at Syracuse University. And although it's not impossible for an outsider to gain entry to the school, we haven't had a crime of violence in the 18 years that I've been here."

These thefts affect the Newhouse faculty to the same extent, if not more so, than they do the students, Grassi said.

"Teachers and students need to take the same necessary precautions in order to prevent these crimes," Grassi said.