Quadrangle room robbed over break

Roommates College freshman Jennifer Houston and Engineering freshman Lisa Loosen made an unpleasant discovery Sunday night upon their return to campus after winter break. They found that their room, located in the Morgan Building of the Quadrangle, had been burglarized. The burglary, described as "substantial" by Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone, netted a long list of electronic equipment, including a portable computer, printer, modem, stereo, phone, two graphing calculators and an alarm clock. And more conventional items such as luggage, sweaters, pillowcases, stamps and loose change were also taken. "The only electronic thing that they didn't take was an iron," said Houston. Houston added that the police theorized that the burglar may have used the luggage to carry the stolen goods, and the sweaters as cushioning for the equipment. This burglary was the only incident of its kind reported to University Police over break, according to Director of Victim Support Maureen Rush. "We're going to investigate the method of entry into the room," she said. "This case is very unusual. It's rare to have a burglary in the Quad." Security for the Quad is very tight during University vacations such as winter break, according to Gordon Rickards, assistant director of Facilities and Residential Operations. "Over winter break, both Quad gates were locked, Allied Security conducted walking tours, and the buildings were checked periodically for anything out of the ordinary," he said. There is no evidence of forced entry, according to the University Police Captain John Richardson, and no marks near the door locks. "There are no obvious signs of a break-in," Rickards said. "We have no idea how they got in." Both Philadelphia and University Police are investigating the burglary, according to Captain Richardson, and the investigation is "ongoing." Houston and Loosen said they knew something had happened before they even arrived at their room. "When we got to the stairs, our friends asked us why our room was unlocked," Houston said. "That's how we knew," she added. "We were both sure that we had locked it." According to Houston, the room had been locked and dead-bolted before they left, so the only way in was with a key. Additionally, all Quad rooms are supposed to be checked by Residential Advisors after their occupants leave for break. Loosen said she reacted to news of the burglary with "shock, frustration and anger." "At first, I though that it had to be a practical joke," she said. Houston said she has reacted more calmly to the situation. "I won't get the stuff back, so it's not worth it for me to lose it," she said, laughing. "My friend told me that I'm the only person who could still be cheery after having all of this stuff stolen." "Obviously, we're all disappointed, but it could have been worse," she said. "It was only objects, and objects can be replaced."