$24K in equip. taken from Psych Annex

An estimated $24,000 worth of electronic equipment was stolen from the Psychology Department annex at 3815 Walnut Street over the weekend. Yesterday morning, a Psychology professor reported the break-in -- which likely occurred sometime between Friday afternoon and Monday morning -- to University Police. Among the items taken were several computer systems, a photo printer, several computer scanners, a Zip disk drive and several video editing machines and tape decks. The burglars apparently entered through an exterior window after removing a large metal grate, according to University Police Det. Frank DeMeo. DeMeo, who is assisting in the investigation, explained that the window's poor physical condition most likely facilitated entry into the building. "It was probably no big challenge to take [the grate] off," DeMeo said. "The wood around the window was in tough shape." Due to the large quantity of equipment taken, DeMeo said he believes more than one person is responsible. The burglars concentrated on three rooms within the annex, breaking an internal door along the way. The perpetrators did leave a trail of fingerprints at the scene and though the evidence is not in optimum condition, DeMeo said every little bit helps the investigation. "We're thrilled to death when we get fingerprints," DeMeo said. "The quality of these prints is not what we like to see but we like prints. They're enough for identification when we find a suspect." DeMeo explained that if police catch these particular burglars in the act again, the prints will be used to link them with the Psychology break-in. Psychology Professor Paul Rozin, who initially reported the incident to police, was not available for comment.