By Melissa Boyd (Whetstone Staff)

Two laptops were stolen from classrooms in College Center, Wesley security said.

Laptop shelf

Laptop shelf         Walt Beaupre / The Whetstone

The first was stolen Feb. 4 on the fourth floor in the English department’s Room 404. The second was stolen Feb. 19 from the Media department’s Room 206.

“We are working with Dover Police and the Information Technology department,” said Walt Beaupre, head of safety and security at Wesley. “I believe they are connected and hopefully they will stop.”

Security is still investigating, he said.

Jody Sweeney, the chief technology officer, said the laptops will be replaced, so professors who rely on them for class won’t be left shorthanded.

“We have a few in inventory that we keep as loaners when faculty or staff need to be mobile,” he said. “This will hinder our ability to provide these resources until they are replaced.”

Dr. Mike Nielsen, who noticed the laptop missing from 206, said he doesn’t use the laptop for his class, so it hasn’t affected his class directly.

“I use my Mac because it’s easier to set up for what I need,” he said. “I know it was there at noon and gone by seven. But the security cable and power supply were still there, which is weird.”

Nielsen said he thinks there’s a lesson to be learned.

“Don’t leave laptops,” he said. “Leave a desktop or bring your own laptop.”

Beaupre said that any information students, faculty or staff can give concerning the thefts is helpful.

“They can remain anonymous by using the online Anonymous Incident Report or by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333 or www.tipsubmit.com,” he said. “They can also contact me directly at 302-736-2304.”