Two laptops were stolen from classrooms in the Walker and Ansin buildings Monday, according to a Emerson College Police Department advisory. 

Because there were no witnesses to the crimes, there are no suspects, said Deputy Chief Scott Bornstein. He also said he does not believe the two thefts were connected. 

Lieutenant Eric Schiazza said these are not the first thefts he has seen this academic year, but said he believes they are the first this semester.

In response to the crimes, ECPD hung advisory posters to warn students about thefts.

“The best defense against thefts is for members of our community to keep a close eye on your laptop and other small electronic devices such as smart phones, iPads, and iPods,” the poster states.

The warning lists several theft prevention methods, including never leaving a device unattended, which Bornstein said is the most important protection technique. If electronics were not left unattended, thefts at Emerson could decrease by 75 percent, he said.

“For a crime to occur, a thief needs motivation and opportunity. You can’t take away the motivation, but you can take away the opportunity,” Bornstein said. 

He also said students can participate in Operation ID, a program allowing them to register electronics within a database. With a sticker or personal engraving, people can identify the owner of a lost device through the database.

Bornstein said he hopes students will follow the advice on the posters, so they do not become victims of a similar theft.