Newspaper Burglarized

By: Melinda Fusco

Posted: 8/31/05

The Daily Campus, UConn's student newspaper, was the victim of a robbery of computer and computer and photo equipment totaling over $20,000 on Aug. 19.

The burglary, at The Daily Campus Building located at 11 Dog Lane in Storrs was reported to UConn police on Friday, Aug. 19 at 8:55 a.m. by Daily Campus staff that arrived sometime earlier, according to a press release by UConn police on Aug. 20. The newspaper's server was disconnected around 2 a.m. Friday morning.

Around $23,000 in computer and photo equipment was stolen, according to UConn Police Maj. Ronald Blicher. This equipment included five flat screen Apple monitors and two digital cameras, Gaffey said.

"In addition, the server was stolen, which is valued at $6,100," Gaffey said. "It was also several thousand [dollars] for installation."

"Nancy Depathy, [Daily Campus] financial manager, discovered the break-in after she couldn't connect to the server," Gaffey said.

According to Gaffey, Depathy checked the server room when she could not connect, and noticed the server was gone. She immediately called the police, he said.

According to Blicher, police initially responded to the call and detectives came in to process the scene for evidence gathered.

Initial reports indicate there was no forced entry to the building, and that exterior doors of the two-story building were locked. The burglary occurred sometime between Thursday evening and Friday morning, Aug.18 to Aug.19, according to the press release.

"The detectives stayed for several a few hours," Gaffey said. "They dusted for finger prints and asked us many questions."

According to Gaffey, The Daily Campus is insured and they are presently working with the insurance company to replace stolen equipment.

John Lynch, owner of Asset Recovery Center in Milford, who has no affiliation with UConn, donated a Dell sever to The Daily Campus, Gaffey said.

Lynch said he, "heard about the burglary on the Channel 3 morning news."

"When I saw it I felt bad for students trying to work at the student newspaper for their futures," Linch said. "I know how insurance companies work. It takes a long time for them to pay so I figured if I can help get the students back to doing what they love to do than why not."

"That was great," Gaffey said. "It saved us some money."

According to Gaffey, The Daily Campus recently budgeted for new cameras and is still missing two monitors, which will be replaced soon.
"The Student Affairs Information Technology Department is working to
assist the Daily Campus to get itself back on its feet," said John Saddlemire, vice president for Student Affairs. "Also Student Activities is helping to provide support."

According to David Clokey, executive director for Finance and Technology, Student Affairs has offered to provide temporary replacements for the stolen monitors if needed.

"My understanding is The Daily Campus is pursuing replacements
through their insurance provider," Clokey said. "I am also aware from Mark [Santore, Daily Campus business manager] and Tom [Gaffey] that other newspapers have been supportive and have offered to help with the replacement of the stolen items."

Gaffey said The Daily Campus has been doing their own part in trying to resolve the situation and figure out who the perpetrators are.

"Now all our efforts are going into the first week of production and to get back on our feet," Gaffey said. "We are not letting this hurt us or slow us down."

Saddlemire said it certainly is unfortunate and very disappointing that this crime was committed.

"I do not anticipate students developing a heightened sense of fear," Saddlemire said." "However, I do hope that this incident does encourage everyone in the UConn community to look out for each other in a little more deliberate manner."

According to Blicher, both the police department and detectives have not identified any suspects.

"This involves speaking to individuals who may or may not have affiliation with The Daily Campus or may or may not seem something of interest," Blicher said.

"We don't know anyone who wants to silence our newspaper and we don't know anyone who would want to steal from a non-profit organization," Gaffey said. "I see no motive and I'm not one to speculate."

According to the press release, the UConn Police Detective Division will be coordinating efforts with the Patrol Division while the investigation continues.

"It's 10 days later and we're still in the investigating stage," Blicher said. "We don't anticipate making an arrest in the near future."

According to Gaffey, everyone associated with The Daily Campus has offered their condolences.

"The Journalism department offered help, we've had help from the members of the Board of Directors," Gaffey said.

According to Gaffey, tons of former staff, alumni and former executive officers have offered help.

"The Daily Campus never really leaves you I guess I can say," Gaffey said.

Saddlemire is confident The Daily Campus will recover completely from this incident.

"The Daily Campus is a resilient group of students who will do everything
in their power to keep the paper providing quality reporting to the
campus," Saddlemire said.