toledoblade.com --

They didn't take the box of petty cash or other computers. They bypassed portable radios, a television, and a microwave.

And a pop machine, illuminating an otherwise dark room in what would seem to be a beacon to any ordinary burglar, remained untouched.

Instead, what overnight thieves took from Lucas County Democratic Headquarters were financial data, volunteer rolls, Election Day strategy, and other sensitive information just three weeks before voters head to the polls.

But for all of its apparently political intent, the break-in at 1817 Madison Ave. this week is most likely a simple felony.

"It's probably a burglary, maybe a breaking and entering," Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates said yesterday.

Officials of both the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys Office agreed, saying they will monitor the situation but do not believe a federal crime was committed.

Still, what could be a low-degree felony continued to cause headaches yesterday for Democrats.

Three computers were taken sometime between 11 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. Tuesday, apparently by an intruder who broke a side window.

One of the computers belonged to office manager Barbara Koonce, who was responsible for names and addresses of hundreds of party members, volunteers, and candidates, a master schedule for all candidates' events, and financial information.

It also included a list of registered Democrats - information that had been analyzed as part of the Democrats' campaign strategy, Ms. Koonce said.

"So for example, if I wanted to target African-American voters in Ward 10 now, I no longer have that list," she said.

Also taken was a laptop belonging to Roger Sanders, a volunteer attorney from Texas working with the Victory 2004 campaign in space that was leased by the Kerry/Edwards presidential campaign.

The group, which Dems have assigned responsibility for ensuring election integrity, plans to station attorneys at every polling site in Lucas County on Election Day.

Mr. Sanders had been matching as many as 212 local and out-of-town attorneys to specific polling stations Nov. 2. That information was stolen, he said, as were e-mails discussing strategies for counter-attacking subtle measures that could turn voters away from the polls.

Still, Mr. Sanders said, the burglary has had an upside: Volunteers have responded with help and a local computer consultant dropped off several of his personal computers yesterday for indefinite loan to the Democrats.

Contact Robin Erb at:
robinerb@theblade.com
or 419-724-6133.

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