• Two recent thefts at the University of Oregon’s Eugene campus resulted in nearly $10,000 in stolen goods and damages.
• Items stolen from Willamette Hall and Knight Library include musical instruments, laptops, and other computer equipment.
• Police do not believe the two incidents are related but have increased patrols in response to the break-ins.

Although most students are gone for summer break, University of Oregon’s Eugene campus is seeing a spike of activity.

Two likely unrelated thefts have resulted in nearly $10,000 in stolen goods and damage in the past two weeks. The first took place in mid-July at Knight Library and the second happened in early August on the fourth floor of Willamette Hall.

University of Oregon Police Department Chief Jason Wade said there could be a minimal increase in theft over the summer, but he said the two instances don’t necessarily indicate a pattern. Wade said UOPD protects more than 300 buildings, many of which are largely empty during the summer.

“I think these were just a couple of incidents that occurred back-to-back,” Wade said. “There’s not as many custodial staff working in the buildings, there’s not as many professors and administrative staff inside the buildings, so stuff can be a little bit more thinly staffed, and that just provides opportunity.”

In response to the break-ins, UOPD increased their patrols, especially near Willamette Hall and Knight Library.

Musical instruments, clothing, laptops stolen from Willamette Hall

The most recent theft was reported on Monday, Aug. 3, at Willamette Hall and likely occurred over the weekend.

The thief forced their way into four offices on the fourth floor, Wade said, shearing off the locks. Wade said there was no sign of forced entry from the exterior of the building, so police think the individual may have found a window to crawl through or hid inside the building after gaining access during open hours.

“That’s the concerning part because these four offices were targeted,” Wade said. “Why these four offices? That’s part of our investigations. We’re trying to figure out the full ramifications of this.”

Wade said it’s possible the thief simply looked through the windows and saw something of value in the offices.

After forcing their way in, they stole a variety of items including guitars, office supplies, headphones, computer equipment and clothing. Wade said most of the stolen goods were personal items but some university property also was stolen. The value of the stolen items, combined with the damages to the doors, amounts to over $4,800, but Wade said UOPD is still working to assess the full value.

Wade said UOPD developed some leads and believes it has a suspect identified, but declined to go into further detail.

“We have been able to return some items to their owners or they’re being processed as we speak,” Wade said. “I know my evidence technician is trying to do some fingerprinting on some of the items before we give them back to the owners.”

$5,000 in computer equipment taken from Knight Library

The prior theft was reported on Friday, July 17, at offices in the Knight Library. UOPD suspects it occurred the night before after an individual crawled through an unlocked window on the first floor. Wade said dirt was found on the desk in front of the window. UOPD doesn’t believe whoever broke in wandered into other areas of the library outside of the 101C office.

Wade said the unlocked window was an older style with counterweights that may have appeared locked fully when it actually wasn’t.

The thief stole two laptops, two Digital Research, Education and Media (DREAM) Lab kits, and a projector, amounting to approximately $5,000 of university property.

According to UO Director of Issues Management Angela Seydel, UO-owned devices are encrypted and enrolled in an mobile device management systems. This means the data on those devices remains protected, and the devices themselves can be remotely locked or wiped as needed.

Wade said UOPD hasn’t yet identified a suspect; cameras didn’t catch any suspicious activity. Wade said in the meantime, UOPD is scouring social media, reseller sites and pawn shops to try to find evidence the equipment is being sold.

Wade doesn’t believe the same person perpetrated both thefts because the methods were different.

“The library one specifically, was more a crime of opportunity — an open, unsecured window and a very quick get in, get out type,” Wade said. “Where the other one, there’s a definitive, different level of crime, a different style.”

If you have any information regarding either incident, UOPD is seeking tips at 541-346-2919.  

University of Oregon Police remind campus employees to lock doors, prevent break-ins

Wade said his No. 1 tip for preventing theft is to ensure nothing of value is visible from outside. He said this goes for offices, households and vehicles. As an example, Wade said he never leaves change or his laptop visible in his car, and he draws his curtains before he leaves his office every evening.

“That’s usually what a lot of our property crime, or most property crime, is based upon, is crimes of opportunity and crimes of convenience,” Wade said. “We never want to blame the victim … It’s not their fault that something happened. It’s still the criminal. The criminal is the one who’s doing the action; they’re the one to blame for everything.

“But we want to help our community not become victims.”

UOPD provided more safety tips in the recent UO alerts. The alert said these tips may help reduce the possibility of crime or help law enforcement in providing prompt assistance if a crime occurs:

• Make sure to lock all doors and windows when leaving the room or building.  
• Secure your belongings and don’t leave them unattended.  
• Don’t hold doors open for unknown people to let them enter private, secure areas.  
• Report criminal activity (such as a break-in or intruder, robbery, or assault) immediately to 911, or for non-emergency situations on campus, to UOPD at 541-346-2919.   

UOPD also listed resources for those who experience crime:

• Student survivors of crime may find support and resource options at  safe.uoregon.edu or call the 24-hour SAFE hotline at 541-346-SAFE (7233).
• Employee survivors of crime may find services and support options through Canopy. Canopy is a comprehensive employee assistance program for faculty and staff and their dependents. The services are at no cost to eligible members and all your information is kept confidential.
• University Counseling Services is open until 5 p.m. on weekdays and offers 24-hour support via phone at 541-346-3227.   

Miranda Cyr reports on education for The Register-Guard. You can contact her at mcyr@registerguard.com or find her on X @mirandabcyr.