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Stolen Macs already replaced, no arrests in UVic break in

Several rooms entered using keys thieves obtained once inside the building
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(Photo courtesy of UVic)

There has still been no arrests made after a computer theft at UVic in late December.

Police told the Oak Bay News thieves made off with several 27-inch iMacs and Macbooks from the MacLaurin building, home of UVic’s Faculty of Education and School of Music. UVic’s Director of Campus security Tom Downie said that the computers were stolen from offices. Several of the rooms were entered using keys that thieves obtained once inside the building, according to police.

“All of the computers were immediately replaced,” said Downie. “They were replaced that day, just from other areas. It didn’t affect anything to do with [academic] operation.”

Downie said that not all of the computers were in working condition, and that they may be traceable. He also noted that UVic uses tight encryption software, so he’s not worried about data breaches.

READ MORE: 15 computers swiped from University of Victoria, reported Wednesday

Neither police nor UVic would identify which faculty was most affected by the theft, however campus security did confirm that prevention measures vary from faculty to faculty.

“Departments choose whether or not an area is alarmed or not. They choose their level of security pending on what they have. They may or may not request a security audit where we’ll go over and make recommendations,” Downie said, noting each department also manages payments associated with security. “So if they want an alarm, that department pays for it. Where they get the money and how they get the money, I don’t have that. It could be different in different situations.”

Downie said that UVic is lucky to not have that many break ins. According to Downie most crimes on campus are those of opportunity. He notes that most common instances are bags left alone and stolen, and bike thefts. When there’s a perceived risk to students, or if there’s a spike in reported incidents, campus security gives notice to students by way of posters at building entrances. For this incident students were not notified.



jesse.laufer@oakbaynews.com

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