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65 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, September 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 26, 2004 Ashland thefts point to burglary ring By BILL CHOY Mail Tribune ASHLAND — A detective investigating thefts from two Ashland businesses in the past couple of weeks says he may have a line on a possible computer burglary ring. The burglars were inadvertently thwarted from victimizing a computer service business on Aug. 16. Then, on the morning of Aug. 19, what appears to be the same group entered Modern Fan Company on Mistletoe Road and stole $16,500 worth of computers and computer equipment. Ashland police Detective Brent Jensen said the burglary was unusual because the thieves went out of their way to find the original boxes for the computer equipment they stole. The boxes were stored in an attic accessible only by ladder. "It was unusual that they took such an effort to find the boxes," Jensen said. "I’ve never seen this happen in 23 years of police work." Jensen believes the crooks needed the boxes to either return them to a store, or to sell the items on the Internet through a site like eBay. Advertisement He suspects that those responsible are professionals, likely from out of the area and could be a group that goes to different communities and steals computers. Jensen said several computers at the fan company that were left behind would have appeared valuable to unknowing thieves. "I think whoever did this has some computer knowledge and knew what could sell and what was a dog," he said. Items stolen from the fan company included four computer towers, four Apple computers, one flat-screen monitor, two digital cameras and a scale. "It’s not just some kids screwing around," Jensen said. "It’s someone who has done their research." Jensen has checked local pawn shops and gone on eBay hoping to crack the case, he said. There are no suspects or leads. Eddie Skelton, owner of 1 Hour PC, was suspicious when he arrived at his business at 5:15 a.m. on Aug. 16. When he entered his warehouse, Skelton noticed the doors of a van were open, with equipment left out, and the lights inside the business were on, he said. "I knew something was up, because I was the last one to leave and I knew I didn’t leave the lights on," he said. "And then I heard scuffling noises coming from inside the business." When he entered his shop, he saw a person exiting through a window. Since it was dark, he did not get a clear look at the subject, Skelton said. Skelton left the business and called police. "I was definitely surprised this was happening in Ashland," he said. "It was a bold move, because the window they were using was on the front street." Jensen recommends that businesses protect themselves by making sure all the windows and doors are locked and secured. He also recommends installing a security system. "Alarm systems are good protection," he said. "It’s like extra eyes and ears for us." Anyone with information on the burglaries may call Jensen at 488-2211 Bill Choy is a reporter for the Mail Tribune and the Ashland Daily Tidings. Reach him at 482-3456. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities