Projector thief in custody

An attempted burglary occurred at the Florida A&M University School of Journalism and Graphic Communication on Dec. 1 around 3:30 p.m.

The attempted burglary took place on the first floor in room 1003 of the SJGC building.

The burglar tried to steal another liquid crystal display projector. This time the perpetrator was caught by the FAMU Police Department in what was described by SJGC Dean James Hawkins as “a good chase to capture the culprit.”

“He is in custody now,” Hawkins said. “I’ve been told he was not a student of ours.”

If the burglar had not been caught then it would have been the fourth LCD projector stolen. According to Hawkins, within the past 30 days, three projectors have been stolen – from rooms 2041, 3087, and 2073.

“These are extremely expensive units, and it could hinder instructors from teaching a proper lesson if it was needed,” Hawkins said.

In regards to another burglary occurring, some students do not feel safe because they were not aware that the crime was happening so close to them at the time.

A’sia Horne-Smith, 21, a senior broadcast journalism student from Deland, Fla., was close to the scene of the crime but was not aware of it until after it occurred.

“I don’t feel safe,” Smith said. “Me, being in the building all day and not being alerted that something had occurred. It’s not comforting because you would think that the police would come and tell you that something happened.”

Smith said it would be safer if the school better understood that students work late.

“I don’t feel safe parking in the garage and I have to work in the journalism building all day and all night,” Smith said.

The FAMUPD and Leon County sheriff’s office were contacted. However, both parties were unavailable for comment.

Authorities have not released the name of the suspect at press time.