String of tampon machine thefts hit MSU
By Brittany Shammas (Last updated: 06/16/09 11:34pm)A heavy flow of break-ins and thefts from feminine-hygiene dispensers across campus led MSU Police to launch an investigation.
A total of six break-ins and thefts were reported to MSU Police between June 1-12, amounting to at least $7.50 in stolen change, MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said. The incidents have targeted women’s restrooms in buildings across campus, including the Chemistry Building, Human Ecology Building and the Computer Center.
Thefts from feminine-hygiene dispensers have been spotty in the past, she said.
“I can’t recall a time (when) there have been numerous ones at one time,” she said. “Not those type of machines.”
Nutritional sciences senior Sheena Patel said a person who would steal from a tampon machine must be desperate or bored.
“I think that if you’re going to steal something, you should steal it from someplace better than a tampon machine,” she said.
“It’s got to be bad if someone’s stealing from a machine in a bathroom.”
Communication junior Kiersten Anderson said she thought it was ridiculous someone would steal from feminine-hygiene machines.
“I guess I think when you need something, you need something,” she said. “I think that’s a pretty pathetic way to get money because I can’t imagine stealing from a feminine-hygiene machine could be very lucrative. Going out and earning money seems to be more of an honorable and smart way of doing things.”
Some of the machines appeared to have been entered with an unknown tool, McGlothian-Taylor said. She did not know if the machines, which cost about $400, would need to be replaced.
Police are unsure whether one person is responsible for all of the break-ins, but the incidents remain under investigation, McGlothian-Taylor said.
No arrests have been made, but police hope to catch the person or people responsible, she said.
Originally Published: 06/16/09 11:34pm
Aunt Flo
06/17/09 9:21amMaybe, just maybe, if those girls were giving away chocolate to improve my self-esteem, I wouldn’t have resorted to stealing tampons.
State News is a waste of money
06/17/09 2:22pmWow, I am SO glad that The Onion is finally distributed in East Lansing! OH WAIT, this is the front page of The State News? This is supposed to be a legitimate article?
I am so sick of stupid stories, 7th grade reporting, and overall embarrassing coverage. The State News is a ridiculous excuse of a college newspaper.
Agreed
06/17/09 2:37pmThis and the pulling out method, what are you planning next? Some of these articles help get people in trouble too, just to let you know.
Reality Check
06/17/09 4:05pmI understand that it is the summer and so it would seem that no one would care too much what is being reported, but I think it can easily be seen that the readers of the SN are fed up with its poor management and content. This is not new, over the past few years I have watched the SN decline into a pit of terrible journalism. Granted my first introduction to the SN it was nothing to hold in high regard.
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Chillax
06/17/09 4:20pmFolks, I think you’re missing the point. A “heavy flow” of break-ins? Thefts have been “spotty” in the past? And the police sergeant’s name is FLO-rence? This whole article looks pretty tongue-in-cheek to me. So let’s all take a deep breath and tone down the righteous indignation,‘k?
Tongue in Cheek
06/17/09 4:53pmThe righteous indignation of the posters is hilarious.
This is obviously an attempt at humor based on the things Chillax astutely posted above me.
And it is actually quite good.
Relax, folks.
Pariah
06/17/09 8:57pm“unknown tool” lol
Mediocre Attempt
06/17/09 9:03pmSo we’re supposed to believe all of the other serious stories on the FRONT PAGE. But this one is a joke? What a relief, so that means the pulling out article was a joke too right?
Win!
06/17/09 9:53pmThis is the greatest article in the history of the state news…
Punctuation
06/17/09 10:03pmFor all you critics of the article content, at least appreciate it’s form. The punctuation is perfect, which is good because some people flip out over a missed period.
maxine padd
06/17/09 11:06pmI am from Australia, and I tell you, this is bloody-good stuff!
davEy
06/17/09 11:19pmWhen I was 12 years old and lived on campus at MSU, my friends and I snuck into a woman’s washroom one day and bought a pad from the machine in there. We were all excited because we knew it went down there, so that made it kind of sexy. Hahahhahha. Kids.
No Need to Rag
06/18/09 12:09ami appreciated this piece; although the material wasn’t as heavy like the other stories that run, it was a fun read. yah, it might be a little irregular, i don’t think it cramped anyone’s style. ease up on raggin on it, folks!
Tony Danza
06/18/09 2:22amHeavy flow? Awesome.
Glover
06/18/09 8:49amInstant classic, Bravo!
RampantRedsFan
06/18/09 10:16amHaha, this story is hilarious, quality reporting.
AManWithAPlan
06/18/09 1:20pmIf I committed a similar crime in the men’s room, would it be met with such condom-nation?
Spartan
06/18/09 2:56pm“String” of tampon machine thefts…
lol
matt
06/19/09 11:30amshould i be ashamed to go there?
dude
06/19/09 11:33am“A heavy flow of break-ins”…..classic
Adam
06/19/09 12:26pm“For all you critics of the article content, at least appreciate it’s form. The punctuation is perfect, which is good because some people flip out over a missed period.”
Amazing.
Ruggy
06/19/09 12:30pmEntered with a tool!!
D1gg Us3r
06/19/09 12:32pmWelcome to the front page of digg ;)
http://digg.com/odd_stuff/String_of_tampon_machine_thefts_results_in_flow_of_break_ins
freaking bad coding on this site
06/19/09 12:34pmhttp://digg.com/odd_stuff/String_of_tampon_machine_thefts_results
_in_flow_of_break_ins
Remove the space in between results and _in_flo…
Smitty
06/19/09 12:49pmIn this economy, people are pulling all kinds of strings to get cash.
Tony
06/19/09 12:50pmPerhaps they needed a little to help to get through a difficult period!
Boom, boom!
:-)
Easier
06/19/09 12:55pmhttp://tinyurl.com/DiggTampon
Front page of Digg, some real gems in the comments…
wat
06/19/09 12:56pmThis has to be a made up story, there is no way a real news site would report on something like this in that way. Also, I’m pretty sure “spammatory” is a made up word.
DaWorm
06/19/09 12:58pmI guess it was that time of the month, bills were due
Mary
06/19/09 12:58pmDid anyone think this might be happening because these products are really expensive to purchase in the stores? It’s easier to steal a few from a bathroom than it is to steal a box from a store. Use your heads people.
murgatroyd
06/19/09 1:00pmThe suspect would have preferred to earn money though employment, but had a scedule which was very cramped.
Stuart Hannig
06/19/09 2:29pmYeah we used to don wigs and sneak into the girls bathroom to mess around with those tampon machines. Just between me and you, we mostly did it to wear the wigs nice excuse.
brilliant
06/19/09 5:01pmShammas is a genius. this article is amazing. to all you nay sayers—-stuff it.
(get it?! BAM!)
Head Doctor
06/20/09 7:37pmThis situation sounds vaguely similar to the theft of urinals from the lower level of the Campus Police station back in ’03. The police still have nothing to go on.