Priceless artifacts, technology stolen from VCU Curation Lab

Annabel Granger, Contributing Writer

Burglars stole over $20,000 worth of 3D printers and other electronics as well as priceless artifacts from the VCU Curation Lab at 911 W. Grace St. on Oct. 8. The case is ongoing as the police have not caught the suspects, according to Channel 8 News.

The suspects broke into the lab through the back door between the hours of 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. the night of Oct. 8 or the next morning, according to lab director Bernard K. Means. Although the doors were securely locked, the thieves somehow got past the security lock and began their spree, stealing a variety of items.

“There were a number of Megalodon teeth and then some fossil crabs were primarily what was stolen,” Means said. “They also stole a couple of laptops, hard drives, a desktop and three of our 3D scanners.”

Of the three scanners that were stolen, one was recovered by VCU Police just a block away from the lab, according to Means.

“When they talk about the stuff being recovered, they talk about it from a monetary standpoint, so half of the value was recovered,” Means said.

Means assumed that the robbers didn’t know what to do with the items they had stolen and were taking things that looked cool to possibly pawn or resell, but would not be able to.

“If they tried to sell them to a specialized collector, that collector is going to know they were stolen,” Means said.

Means requested steel cabinets from VCU that will be more difficult to unlock, and is taking measures to keep the recovered scanner safe until he can ensure the security of the lab.

Brooklyn Griffin, a third-year anthropology student and an intern at the lab, was the first student in that morning and was shocked to hear that the lab had been broken into.

“Everything was in disarray back here,” Griffin said. “It was shocking, and almost felt like it didn’t happen.”

The lab mainly consists of anthropology students who use the printers and scanners every day for projects, so the loss was something the students had to adjust to.

“The lab was a place that a lot of students didn’t think that would happen, so that violation was definitely hard for us,” Griffin said.

Thai Top Ten and Harrison Street Cafe were also broken into on the same night, with the burglars stealing both money and technology, according to employees at both establishments.

“The back door was wide open when we walked in, and then we walked to the front and the two cash registers were missing,” said Tuk Naruecha, the owner of Thai Top Ten.

Naruecha estimated the damages added up to over $1,000, which includes new locks and the money stolen from the registers.

Harrison Street Cafe’s cash drawer was also stolen during the robbery, forcing them to go paperless until they can get a new one, according to Scarlett Musgrave, an employee at the café.

“One of the two suspects in this breaking and entering investigation has been identified by detectives, but VCU Police is asking for the public’s help identifying the second person,” said VCU Police public information officer Jake Burns.

Safety on and off campus is a priority for students and faculty alike, so it is important to be aware of crimes in the surrounding areas.

Students were surprised to hear about the burglary, especially since it was so close to campus.

“I thought VCU property was more secure, so knowing that VCU’s facilities have been broken into makes me question my own living situation since I live in a VCU building,” said Paolo Yepez Hurtado, a sophomore majoring in Mass Communication.

Amanda Gary, a third-year art education student, said she feels safe during the day on campus but not as much at night.

“I’ve had night classes before and it’s been a little scary,” Gary said. “I’m like holding my pepper spray and on edge the whole time just trying to get to the parking deck.”

Gary lives off campus and doesn’t feel scared when she’s at home,  but is aware of the crime that takes place around campus and she said she worries for her friends when she gets alerts from the campus police.

Madeline Badach, a third-year political science student, also feels safe during the day but is extra cautious and aware of her surroundings at night.

“I try to walk with my friends, especially if it’s nighttime,” Badach said. “If I’m walking home really late at night, I hold my phone in case I need to make a call, and I always lock my doors.”

Badach said VCU has done a good job at ensuring safety for students and staff but could improve RamSafe by making it more convenient and faster for students walking at night.

Information or tips about these robberies can be submitted to VCU Police at 804-828-1196.