On Sept. 30 at around 11:45 a.m., University Police dispatch received a call from the Marano Center College store reporting a larceny in progress.
University Police Chief John Rossi said Wesley Sanchez and Hamidou Dicko, Oswego State students from New York City, were each charged with one count of petit larceny, classified as a misdemeanor. Sanchez and Dicko were issued appearance tickets for Oswego Town Court on Oct. 31.
Susan Raby, the director of the Marano Campus Center Store, said one student had $162.83 worth of merchandise and the other had $24.99.
According to Article 155 of New York State Penal Laws, petit larceny is the lowest-level theft offense in New York State and is considered a class A misdemeanor. It is the unlawful taking of property or services valued at no more than $1,000.
A sentence for conviction of a class A misdemeanor may include imprisonment for a term to not exceed one year and a fine not to exceed $1,000.
“We are reviewing the security procedures and systems we have in place, including whether customers can bring in backpacks, duffle bags, tote bags, etc.,” Raby said.
Bookland, located on the main level of Hewitt Union, is a textbook store that also sells school and art supplies. Bookland does not allow students to come into the store wearing a backpack or larger bags.
Due to the recent thefts, Raby said that the college store in Marano Campus Center is seriously considering not allowing students to bring backpacks into the store.
Student Ryan Cobane said he thinks not allowing backpacks in the store would be an inconvenience to students.
“I think it would be a huge inconvenience if they don’t allow us to have backpacks in the store,” said Cobane, a sophomore. “Most people stop in the store on the way to and from class. If they do decide to not let us have our backpacks, then I think they should provide a place to store our bags similar to what they have in Hewitt.”
Cobane also said that he thinks it would lessen the number of students that visit the store to purchase an item.
“Students aren’t going to stop at the store on their way to or from class because it would be annoying that we wouldn’t be allowed backpacks,” Cobane said. “I have a feeling that the amount of money the store would be making would decrease.”
James Hickok, a sophomore, agrees with Cobane and thinks backpacks should be allowed.
“I don’t see a problem with allowing people to take their backpacks into the store,” Hickok said.
Raby said that not bringing backpacks into Bookland is effective in reducing theft and when no one is wearing a backpack, it makes crowded aisles easier to pass through.
