Hutch, Gimbel gyms see wave of thefts

Police note a 400 percent increase over last year University Police have recorded a recent wave of thefts at Hutchinson and Gimbel gymnasiums. Since January 1, there have been 28 thefts from lockers in the two buildings, a 400 percent increase over the same period last year, according to University Police Detective Gary Heller. The increase, while not unprecedented, is enough to warrant police attention, Heller said. "We've had crime waves like this in the past," he said. "But the numbers are leading us to do things we don't normally do." Heller explained that some of the preventive measures include having plainclothes police details patrol the gyms, as well as discussing with Department of Recreation administrators the idea of installing surveillance cameras or stationing a student attendant in the locker rooms. He added that most of the lockers which were broken into had been secured with locks. "Breaking those locks doesn't take much time or skill," he said. "If the thief has bolt-cutters it could be cut off in seconds." Heller explained that once lockers are broken into, the odds of getting the stolen merchandise back are very low. "The best thing would be to leave any valuables at home," he said. "If you take away the incentive the criminals have for breaking into the lockers, they'll stop coming." University Police Captain John Richardson said he doubted students were responsible for most of the thefts. "Students usually only commit crimes of opportunity, like if a locker was left open," he said. "I'd have to think that there's a criminal element responsible for these thefts." But Director of Intramural Recreation Robert Glascott said he disagreed. "The criminals have been from every sector that uses the facilities -- students, University employees, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Presbyterian employees and residents who buy passes," he said. He added that attendants have been stationed in the locker room in the past -- but to no avail. "Breaking into a locker takes 30 seconds and makes no noise," Glascott said. "The attendants can't be everywhere at once." He explained that the biggest problem is the facilities themselves. "Hutchinson just has too many open doors," he said. "It's easy to get in without ever showing any type of ID. "At Gimbel, sometimes people sneak in through the Sansom Street exit, while other times, a guy with an ID will enter the building and then let his buddy in the back door," he added. Glascott added that many of the thefts may be the work of a single criminal. "It's like an addiction," he said. "A criminal will steal until he gets caught." Heller said the crimes are likely to continue until the buildings are secured. "That's our first priority," he said. "After they're secured we can look at the numbers and decide on what to do next. In the meantime, if it's something like a wallet that you don't need at the gym -- leave it at home."