KENOSHA, WI – Upon returning home from Rhetoric, Writing and Digital Technology, Jay Johnson was in need of getting his nightly fix of internet news. 

“I need my blogs,” Johnson said.  He was also looking for something to disuade him from watching the DVR’d season premier of Lost until Friday night.  As his wife got ready for bed and his puppy slept on the  couch, Johnson frantically searched for the Apple PowerBook G4 that held his future.  He couldn’t locate it in the normal spots: kicthed table, upstairs desk, reclining chair.  First, he thought his wife might have been using it and left it somewhere unexpected. 

After several minutes, it became clear that something sinister was afoot.  His wife shouted down to him, asking why he had rifled through her nightstand.  Johnson maintained that he had not done this. 

Connecting the dots

Johnson told his wife to remain where she was as he proceeded to the second floor office.  There he found that both Macs (the PowerBook and a sturdy, reliable 2002 iBook G3) were gone, as was an iPod mini (gold) and a digital video camera.  The digital camera (stills) was later discovered on the kitchen counter. 

They had been victims of a disciplined electronics thief, who had passed up the opportunity to take credit cards, passports, *strong* prescription drugs. 

 There was no sign of forced entry. 

Immediately, he said he felt the anger and despair of being unable to check the blogs he was hoping to read.  He used his phone to check his email.  His wife didn’t feel this angry and confusing withdrawl until the morning.

Why had the burglar opted only to destroy Johnson’s ability to connect with the world?  What are the boundaries of identity theft?  His passport is safe, but his passwords and media relics such as photos and home movies are forever lost, as they were not hosted on webapps. 

The police urge the entire community to remain vigilant in these times of uncertainty and terror.