Ten new iMac computers were stolen from the Chemistry computer lab in Olin-Rice Hall last Friday. The crime cost Macalester $16,000 and has effectively shut down the lab for the rest of the semester.

Chemistry Laboratory Supervisor Darlane Kroening, who locks up the computer lab each afternoon, entered the third-floor room shortly after 4:30 p.m. to find only severed Kensington security cables and two of 12 computers remaining.

A systematic search of the building conducted soon after Kroening's discovery came up empty-handed.

She said she had noticed something, possibly a person, obstructing the lab window when she walked by five minutes earlier, but said that it did not seem suspicious.

Police told her she might have scared the burglars away before they could steal the last two computers.

The theft occurred at a time when students are usually around studying and doing research, Kroening said .

Three students were working just next door in the General Chemistry Lab when the theft took place.

Chemistry Professor Tom Varberg said he is frustrated that, as a result of the crime, students will be unable to do homework assignments. He is also angry at the violation of space created by the theft.

"Our computers are at the heart of a lot of what we do in Chemistry," he said. "It's just sad."

The iMacs, which the Chemistry department purchased this year, are valued at approximately $1600-1700 per unit, including keyboards and zip drives.

"I think it was a professional job," Kroening said, noting that a student likely would not steal more than one computer.

The computer lab is open to anyone from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Varberg hopes the lab will be "up and running" next fall, even if the department hasto purchase new computers. The lab may still be used for Chemistry classes on a limited basis this year.

Varberg is working with Computer Information and Technology staff to have the chemistry software programs installed on computers in the Humanities building so that his students can continue their class work.

At least one lab session had to be cancelled this past week.

Students are equally distraught by the incident.

"Obviously it pissed me off," said Edward Mwenda '05, who was working next door to the lab Friday afternoon.

There are currently no suspects in the theft, but the Security Office has asked that students report suspicious persons or activities seen in or near Olin-Rice.

Head of Security Terry Gorman contacted the St. Paul Police Department, which is now investigating the case.

Gorman described the incident, which is the only theft of a significant number of computers in recent memory, as a "crime of opportunity." Such crimes consist of lawbreakers lurking about looking for easy pickings and comprise most of the crimes on campus.

Gorman said he hopes that students will respond to the theft by keeping track of their belongings, including backpacks and coats, thus discouraging such opportunists from seeing the school as an easy target.

"It behooves us all to keep track of our stuff," Gorman said.