Current Release: September 11th, 2007 | Vol. XXIV Iss. 10

Photo illustration by Colleen Peterson

Students encounter credit theft

By Courtney Anderson

Virginia Wesleyan College experienced its first major theft in the Scribner Bookstore after noon on Aug. 28 or on Aug. 29. In excess of $3,300 cash and 124 credit card receipts were stolen.

According to Bruce Vaughan, vice president of operations, “It’s the first time in 27 years that this has happened in the bookstore, and we are somewhat mystified.”

The Virginia Beach Police Department was contacted and has taken two reports. The money was placed in a zippered envelope with the credit card receipts and cash register tape. The envelope was placed in a file cabinet and then locked around noon on Aug. 28 in the manager’s office. The theft was discovered on the evening of Aug.29 when the money was to be counted.

“No suspects have been identified,” said Vaughan. “Police have indicated that it is very likely not solvable due to the number of people in and out of the bookstore.”

An e-mail was sent out on Sept. 13 to notify the college community that credit card receipts may have been comprised on Aug. 28 and 29. Those who used their credit cards in the bookstore in the afternoon of Aug. 28 or Aug. 29 should monitor their accounts closely for any unauthorized activity or cancel their credit cards.

“Each individual needs to determine their own comfort level,” said Vaughan on whether students should cancel their cards or monitor their accounts.

VWC is taking precautions to prevent this from happening again.

“We have installed a new safe with extremely limited access,” said Vaughan. “Only three people have the combination, and it is secured to the building.”

The new safe/drop box is a triple bypass safe. The cameras in the bookstore were monitoring merchandise in the bookstore, not the manager’s office, where the theft occurred.

“The cameras are being upgraded and the procedure is changing,” said Vaughan. “We have changed our banking procedures.”