When Peter DiPietro entered his apartment after Thanksgiving break, everything seemed fine at first. But a closer look sent DiPietro (senior-elementary education) straight to his phone to call the State College Police Department.

Almost $10,000 worth of his and his five roommates' belongings had been stolen. Everything from portable stereos to a videocassette recorder to compact discs and a television were taken.

But DiPietro said he's determined not to let himself be a victim again during the upcoming spring break.

"We're bringing home a lot more stuff this time," he said.

Both the State College police and University Police Services said students' rooms do occasionally get hit while their residences are left unattended during vacations.

"We never know what to expect," University Police Officer Don Reed said. "We've been fairly fortunate the past couple years because we haven't had any major break-ins."

But Reed said students do not need to panic.

"It's more something to be cautious about. It probably won't happen, but you never know," he said.

Reed said dorm residents who live on the ground floor are more susceptible to theft because their rooms are easily accessible through windows.

University police officers will increase foot patrols over spring break, checking each dorm at least six times every day, Reed said.

State College police will enact different foot patrol patterns in the apartment complex areas next week, criminal investigator Bill Wagner said.

But both Reed and Wagner said students can be the best line of defense against potential thieves if they take precautions.

Off-campus students should connect timers to lights and cancel newspaper delivery, Wagner said.

Reed said students who don't want to lug their expensive items home can safeguard them by padlocking them in closets.

But Kristin Gladfelter (freshman-division of undergraduate studies), who lives on campus, said she is not concerned about dorm security during the break.

"I don't think there's a problem if everybody just locks their doors," she said. "If you don't lock your doors, then you deserve to have your stuff stolen."