A rash of thefts at the new Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports has left SMU police with no leads and no suspects as Dedman administrators up security measures.
Since Phase I of the new facility opened on Sept. 26, seven thefts have occurred. On Wednesday, five took place in a four-hour period and two were reported less than 20 minutes apart. The first theft took place on Sept. 28 and the second occurred on Oct. 2.
Police have no evidence the five thefts that occurred on the same day are related, nor any of the seven, according to Major Rick Shafer, who is acting SMU police chief until Chief Mike Snellgrove returns from training at the FBI Academy.
Some of the thefts occurred in the weight room area out of the wooden cubbies on the left wall, while the others occurred in the men’s locker room.
After the first theft, two cameras were installed by the cubbies located in the weight/aerobic room, according to Dedman Center Director Judith Banes.
“Initially, we thought the camera spread was wide enough to include the men’s room, but it turned out not to be,” Banes said.
Aren Cambre, a part-time graduate student and an ITS staff member, was the second victim to report his belongings were stolen. His wallet, wedding ring and pocketknife were stolen out of his locked locker in the men’s locker room.
“When I came back to my locker after the workout, the lock was gone,” Cambre said.
In each case, said Shafer, the thief stole a man’s wallet.
Cambre believes the location of the locker room in the new building makes the comings and goings of the thief and or thieves more anonymous.
In his years at SMU, Shafer noted that the police rarely had items reported stolen from locker rooms in the old Dedman Center and the Cinco Center.
Even with cameras pointed at the entrance of the locker rooms, Shafer said, it’s hard to detect if someone is grabbing his or her own stuff or stealing someone else’s.
“We spent two years trying to out-guess the problem areas. But you can’t anticipate everything that’s going to happen. Upfront we’ve made some mistakes, but we’re confident about the changes we’ve made,” he said.
Three security cameras have been installed since the first crime occurred, bringing the total to 16.
Despite being a victim of theft, Cambre doesn’t blame anyone.
“I’m not angry,” he said. “I can understand that this is a new gym and they’re still developing their new security procedures, so I cannot hold this against them,” he said.
Before Cambre was able to cancel his credit card, the thief ran up $2,500 in fraudulent purchases in the City Place Market.
Major Shafer recommends that members not bring valuables into the Dedman Center. He suggests leaving them at home or out of sight in a locked vehicle.
“Bring in only what you need,” he said.
Shafer also encourages members of the community who may have any information regarding these crimes to call Captain Tommy Jones at 214-768-3388 or the anonymous tip line at 214-768-2TIP.
“Even if it’s a gut feeling, let us know. It may be helpful,” Shafer said.
