Police Probe Thefts At Business School

Campus police yesterday were investigating three separate break-ins over the weekend at University-owned buildings that house Harvard Business School students.

The crimes took place between midnight Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at the Soldiers Field Park Apartments, Harvard Police Chief Paul E. Johnson said yesterday.

Information is not yet available on one of the three crimes. For the other two thefts, police have estimated the total loss at nearly $6,000.

The victim of one theft, speaking on condition of anonymity, said her computer, a VCR, jewelry, cash, clothing and luggage--items totalling $4,450--were stolen.

In both crimes for which information is available, thieves entered by removing screens that had been placed in front of open windows.

One Suspect

Because of the large time span between the break-ins, police were unsure of the number of thieves involved.

Police said they have one unidentified suspect--who was seen looking into the windows of the apartment complex's Building 8 shortly before the crime.

Johnson described the suspect as a black-haired white male in his early twenties and of average build. The man was seen wearing a dark shirt, a pair of ankle high Nike sneakers and a pair of black shorts which extended below his knees, the chief said.

Saying the area is usually safe, the chief called the break-ins "a little unusual" and added that they were probably opportunity crimes.

Window Left Open

In the first theft, police said an intruder entered a basement apartment at Soldiers Field Park at approximately 12:30 a.m. Sunday morning.

The thief may have gained access to the apartment by cutting or pulling off a basement window screen, Johnson said.

The chief said the window behind the screen had been left open.

The apartment's three residents, all of whom are first-year Business School students, reported $1,485 in damage and lost property as a result of the crime.

The second crime took place roughly 12 hours later in Building 6 of the same complex.

The victim, a first-year Business School student who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she left her apartment for roughly 15 minutes to go to her next door neighbor's place. When she returned, her home had been robbed.

The intruder cut the screen on a ground floor window with a broken beer bottle, the victim said. The loss was valued at $4,450.

Harvard Police Lt. John Rooney, head of the criminal investigations division, is in charge of the case. He is asking anyone who sees suspicious activity in the area to call the police at 495-1212

The thief may have gained access to the apartment by cutting or pulling off a basement window screen, Johnson said.

The chief said the window behind the screen had been left open.

The apartment's three residents, all of whom are first-year Business School students, reported $1,485 in damage and lost property as a result of the crime.

The second crime took place roughly 12 hours later in Building 6 of the same complex.

The victim, a first-year Business School student who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she left her apartment for roughly 15 minutes to go to her next door neighbor's place. When she returned, her home had been robbed.

The intruder cut the screen on a ground floor window with a broken beer bottle, the victim said. The loss was valued at $4,450.

Harvard Police Lt. John Rooney, head of the criminal investigations division, is in charge of the case. He is asking anyone who sees suspicious activity in the area to call the police at 495-1212