Ruben Chavez, Lieutenant, San Jose and Evergreen Community College Police department said there have been 21 crimes on campus since January 1, including bike thefts, car break-ins and alleged charges of driving under the influence. <\/p>\n
Chavez summarized the crimes and said \u201cthere have been two bicycle thefts from the stands next to the GE building during the daytime. Both had chains with locks that were cut off, the campus police encourage use of the large U-style locks that can\u2019t be cut off.\u201d <\/p>\n
Chavez further said, \u201cnine automobile burglaries have taken place, mostly during daytime in parking lots \u201cC\u201d, \u201cL\u201d, and \u201cP\u201d. The windows were broken and items taken. The campus police encourage students and staff to keep doors locked and to keep valuables out of sight. Two of the vehicles burglarized were police vehicles where windows were broken.\u201d
\nThere has only been one automobile theft, and the suspect was already identified. <\/p>\n
Ten thefts and burglaries from offices, classrooms, or other buildings have taken place. The Cosmetology building has been hit hard by someone stealing items from purses found in unlocked lockers during the day. The thieves used the stolen credit cards adding to the victim\u2019s misery.<\/p>\n
The campus police are actively working the cases and have some good evidence and leads. Chavez said, \u201cwe encourage everyone to secure their belongings. Either lock them up and do not leave belongings out in open view. The other thefts were laptops and computers left in places that would normally be considered safe, however with our troubling economy; people will resort to \u201ccrimes of opportunity\u201d.<\/p>\n
Sahar Lama, an SJCC student recently had her laptop stolen from the Student Center. <\/p>\n
She said, \u201cI thought the Student Life Center was secure. I left my computer in the open to assist on a fundraiser with the Museum Student Association. When I returned the laptop was gone. It was a gift from my mother\u2019s closest friend.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Chavez and depending upon the value and intent of the perpetrator, the penalty for theft or burglary can range from a year in county jail to four years in prison.<\/p>\n
Theft directly affected SJCC students. Patrick Lorea, 25, English major, recently lost his laptop as a result of an automobile theft.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy world was turned upside down. All of my files were now missing and papers I was working on had to be redone. Loss of a computer can be a traumatic experience to overcome,\u201dLorea said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost of the criminal activity occurs in broad daylight; keep valuables out of sight and secured.\u201d Chavez said. He encourages the student body to immediately report any suspicious activity to campus police at (408) 270-6468. <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ruben Chavez, Lieutenant, San Jose and Evergreen Community College Police department said there have been 21 crimes on campus since January 1, including bike thefts, car break-ins and alleged charges of driving under the influence. Chavez summarized the crimes and said \u201cthere have been two bicycle thefts from the stands next to the GE building…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"staff_name":[581],"class_list":["post-1392","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-campus-life","staff_name-larry-harris"],"yoast_head":"\n