A string of burglaries on the California State University, Stanislaus campus has the university police department looking for a 22-year-old man that has been identified as the prime suspect.
Within a span of eight days the university police department took reports of three separate burglaries and they believe Scott Tackett is connected to all of them.
The first burglary was discovered on New Year’s Eve. A computer and external hard drive were taken out of a room in the Demergasso-Bava Hall. The second burglary occurred Jan. 2 in the University Union room, where two computers were taken. The most recent burglary happened Tuesday, in which computer equipment and other items were taken from offices on the southwest side of the library.
Tackett was identified through video images from one of the burglary scenes.
Tackett stand 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. He has blond hair and blue eyes.
Tackett has previous convictions for burglary according to Stanislaus County Superior Court records. In 2010, Tackett was arrested by the Turlock Police Department for robbery when an attempt to steal cough and cold medications from Save Mart went awry. Tackett and his juvenile partner fought with store employees. The robbery count was later dismissed when Tackett pled no contest to the burglary charge. He was given probation and later ordered to drug court.
The university police department said they have been stepping up patrols and offered the following safety tips:
• Lock and close your office doors and take your keys with you, even if you step out of your office for a short time (e.g. meeting, restroom).
• When exiting a building at night be sure the door closes behind you.
• Keep your purse, wallet, keys or other valuables with you at all times or keep them locked in a drawer or office.
• Be aware of your surroundings and who may be watching you as you leave your office.
• If you are using expensive items in a public area and need to leave momentarily, take your property with you.
• Get your laptop and other property engraved at UPD for free.
• Shut down your computer at the end of every work day.
• Store files and documents on the server, not on the desktop.
• Secure all removable media devices (CDs, portable hard drives and USB drives) in locked drawers or file cabinets.
Anyone spotting Tackett is advised to not make contact with him and to call 911.
Anyone with information about the cases or Tackett’s whereabouts can call university investigators at 667-3114. People can also leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-866-60-CRIME(27463) or 521-4636. Callers may be eligible for a cash reward.
