The White Falcon - 09.12.1988, Side 2

Theft increases on NATO Base
by J02 Scott Johnson
Thou shalt not steal!
This is one of ten commandments by which many
people live. If the Investigations Division of the
Naval Air Station Keflavik Security Detachment had
one wish, it would probably be that more people
believe and heed this commandment.
This is due to the increase of larceny cases over
the past few months.
"We've had 23 larceny cases reported to us sin«
mid-September," Chief Petty Officer Brian K™
Cunningham, Chief of Investigations said, "H of
which were personal property."
In 90 percent of the larceny cases, the items
taken were left unsecured.
"Most of the cases occur with unlocked cars in
parking lots, unsecured coat rooms at the Top of
the Rock or Windbreaker clubs or unattended
clothes in barracks laundry rooms," Cunningham
said. "If something is left unsecured, there is a
good chance that it will be taken."
Solving these larceny cases is a challenging
problem for Cunningham and his investigators.
“Larceny cases are 25 percent of our work load,"
Cunningham said. "Many of the cases are difficult
to solve because there are no witnesses or a
pattern of theft cannot be established. If we get a
pattern, we're in pretty good shape and we have a
better chance of solving the case. We solve around
50 percent of unsecured larceny cases reported."
Even though most of the cases are petty larceny
(cassette tapes, clothes, etc.) the punishments, if
found guilty, are swift and severe.
A military member found guilty of violating
Article 121 (larceny) of the Uniform Code of
Military Justice (UCMJ) will be punished according
to the value of the item(s) taken. V
Anything valued at $100 or less can get an
individual a Bad Conduct Discharge, forfeiture of all
pay and allowances and six months in the brig. An
individual found guilty of larceny with anything
valued over $100 can receive a Dishonorable
Discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and
five years confinement.
Even with the harsh punishments of a larceny
conviction, many people still take the chance. This
is reflected in the 77 larceny cases reported so far
this year.
How can a person protect themselves from this
rising plague? According to Cunningham, it's quite
simple.
"Lock it up!" Cunningham said. "If you lock
something up, you're in good shape and it is
unlikely that someone will take the time to take it."
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COMICEDEFOR...........Rear Admiral Eric A. MeVadon
Public Affairs Officer.....Lt.Cmdr. Scett E. Vilsea
Assistant PAO ..................Jridthor Kr. Eg dal
Adviser.....
Editor......
Asst. Editor
Editorial Staff
.JOC Dave Evans
J02 Jodelle Blankenship
.....JQ2 Scott Johnson
Reporter........................J02 Andrew Karalls
Sports Reporter....................JOl John Mohler
Draftsman/Layout....................DM2 Cindy Ford
Administrative Assistant...........VRSM Matt Davis
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The White Falcon