A series of locker breaks-ins at Rec Hall and the Intramural Building since mid-October may be the work of one person.

University Police Services Supervisor Ron Jackson said the "rash of thefts" suggests a trend because all the lockers have been broken into in a similar manner. An ongoing investigation over the past several months has not resulted in any suspects, he said.

In 1993, University police reported 29 thefts at Rec Hall and 30 thefts at the IM Building. Several more thefts have occurred at both buildings since the Spring Semester began in January.

Students and faculty members who use University recreational facilities have found themselves forced to choose between the risk of using a locker or lugging their stuff into the gym.

Rob Leuthe (junior-administration of justice) learned a hard lesson when he left several items overnight in an IM Building locker last October. He returned to find that his lock was gone, along with his clothes and sports equipment.

Leuthe said he now takes precautions to avoid being a victim again.

"Now I just take the the clothes I'm going to wear when I exercise," he said, adding that he also tries to leave his money at home.

Michael Dooris, a University research and planning associate, said he became aware of recurring recreational facility thefts after his wallet was stolen from a Rec Hall locker room while he was taking a shower.

In less than five minutes, Dooris' wallet was taken from a secured locker. His total loss was $225 in cash.

"I didn't realize how prevalent this is," Dooris said. "It's out of control. This is just one of those things you don't pay attention to until you have a reason to."

Dooris said he thinks University officials could do more to prevent future thefts, but believes they fail to act because students are the primary users of Rec Hall.

"If this was happening in a faculty locker room . . . would we be looking at this more seriously?" he said.

But places such as Rec Hall are destined to experience problems because of too many doors and windows, said Intercollegiate Athletics Equipment Coordinator Bill Stoner.

"The Rec building is one building you can't secure entirely," Stoner said. He added that the facility has successfully attempted to cut down on crime with students hired to guard designated areas at night.

Police efforts to thwart past crime waves at University recreational facilities have included placement of hidden cameras in hallways and deployment of undercover officers dressed in gym clothes.

Don Reed, a University police officer, said recreational facilities and their locker rooms are more prone to be the sites of repeated crimes because of easy accessibility.

"You're kind of limited what you can do with a locker room. You can't constantly be checking," he said.

The layout of the rooms makes it easy for thieves to make a hit without being spotted, Reed said. "Generally, they'll hit a few lockers and then move to another facility or lay low for a while," he said.

"The thing that stands out in our minds is the same person coming back over and over," Reed added.