Computer server part of haul in Veterans Home burglary

Missing server contained information about residents and some of their dependents

Star Tribune

Last update: July 18, 2008 - 11:21 PM

It appears that burglars took more than just a laptop computer and various electronics when they broke into the Minneapolis Veterans Home early last Sunday.

Officials at the home say they also made off with a backup server that included password-protected information about home residents and some dependents, said spokeswoman Anna Lewicki Long.

The home, operated by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, is notifying employees, residents and others about the missing server and providing information on how to protect themselves from identity theft should such a case arise. No cases of fraud had been reported as of Friday, Long said.

Thieves broke into two buildings on the campus early Sunday. They took a tool kit, two musical keyboards, a guitar, a Nintendo Wii game system and a laptop computer that did not contain information about residents, employees or financial data.

Long said home officials didn't immediately notice that the server was missing because it was not being used at the time. A new server had been installed and the old server was a backup.

Police are "taking a close look at this, but we have no suspects," said Sgt. William Palmer of the Minneapolis Police Department.

Anybody with information is asked to call the Third Precinct Property Crimes Unit at 612-673-5713.

TIM HARLOW

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