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Four computer systems that were donated to the Utah Pride Center for community use were stolen Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.
A burglar or burglars appear to have entered through an unlocked window on the center's first floor at 355 N. 300 West in Salt Lake City. The crime is being investigated by the Salt Lake City police.
"We are investigating it as a burglary," said Detective Pat Wilkinson. "There is no evidence to lead us to believe it was a hate crime."
The computers, valued at $6,000, were part of a free cyber lab used by patrons of the pride center and Café Marmalade coffee shop. There were five computers in the cyber center.
"Burglary is always alarming, but this is particularly disheartening," Valerie Larabee, executive director of the Utah Pride Center, said in a statement. "Our cyber center is a vital resource this time of year as members of our community without computer access at home or work are hoping to connect with their friends and family."
The pride center hopes to find funds to replace the computers as quickly as possible. The stolen computers were donated by the David Bohnett Foundation.
The pride center, which serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, reported a break-in in 2009 and was the target of vandalism this fall when someone painted an anti-gay slur on an outdoor sign.
Rosemary Winters