An Epson Powerlite
Data Projector, model number 73c, was stolen from Larry B. Cornelison’s
office, 334 Wey Hall, between 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 9 and 8 a.m. on
Sept. 10. The projector, valued at $2,200, was to be hung in a classroom
in Walker Hall sometime in the near future.
“I held off placing the projector in a Walker Hall classroom
since a lot of the rooms did not have doors because of the construction,”
Larry Cornelison, technical engineer and part-time professor at
Appalachian, said. “I felt that [the projector] would be safer
in my office.”
Cornelison said his office was locked on-and-off during the hours
of Sept. 9. He did not realize it was missing until the morning
of Sept. 10. “Students are in and out of my office all the
time. They come in to talk and look at all the equipment I have,”
Cornelison said. “Most of the time I am in there, but sometimes
I am working on other things throughout the building.”
Between the hours of 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 9, Cornelison’s
office was left unlocked and the projector was visible from the
hallway.
“It would have been very easy for a student to see the projector,
walk in my office, put it in their book bag and leave the building
with it,” Cornelison said. “Also, about 50 students of
mine knew I had it in my office.”
Cornelison said he reported the theft early on the morning of Sept.
10. The Appalachian State University Police began an investigation
immediately.
“The police department has produced a Crimestoppers report
which was issued on Sept. 11,” Sergeant Phil P. Minton, assistant
investigator for the Appalachian police said. There is a reward
of up to $1,000 for any information that leads to the location or
recovery of the projector.
Cornelison, who has worked at Appalachian for 17 years, has never
had anything stolen from his office before this incident.
“In the 17 years I have worked at Appalachian, I have seen
very expensive equipment stolen, and doors even broken down to steal
something, but I have never had anything removed from my office,
even with the door unlocked,” Cornelison said.
Larceny offenses reported to Appalachian Police are on a rise this
year, with 107 offenses reported before August. This figure is up
compared to 77 larceny offenses reported in 2002.
“People must remain vigilant, always locking their doors, even
if they are just going down the hall, they are going to have to
make a habit of taking their keys with them,” Sergeant Minton
said. “Wey Hall is a building that students need more access
to, therefore it is more vulnerable to things like theft.”
Minton said the Appalachian Police are still investigating the crime
and hoping that someone will lead them to the stolen projector.
“We have hit a dead end in our investigation, but are still
hoping that later on down the road someone will call and give us
some information,” Minton said.
Cornelison said things will be much more secure in his office. “From
now on, even if I am just going around the corner for a second,
I am going to have to lock my door, so nothing like this will every
happen again. I really doubt we will ever see the data projector
again,” Cornelison said.
If you have any information about the stolen data projector, please
call Watauga County Crimestoppers at 828-262-4555. |
