DreamWorks Pictures SKG has announced that computers and photographs for director Steven Spielberg’s much-anticipated fourth installment of the “Indiana Jones” series were stolen.

The Los Angeles Times reports that DreamWorks Pictures has rung the alarm: material connected to “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” the fourth movie in the adventure franchise, has been stolen.

“An investigation is being conducted by law enforcement,” the LA Times quoted Kristin Stark, a spokeswoman for DreamWorks.

No further details were revealed about the date of the theft or were the materials were taken from. Officials from the Los Angeles Police Department, the FBI and the Sheriff's Department could not immediately confirm that they were investigating, the paper adds.

Spielberg’s spokesperson, Marvin Levy, said there were concerns that the thieves would attempt to sell the stolen items. “We want to warn the media that anything that is offered is stolen property,” Levy said. “We know it is out there.”

Stark commented that the materials contained “confidential and proprietary materials” related to the movie.

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” is the first time fans will see adventurous archeologist Indiana Jones, embodied once more by Harrison Ford, in 19 years, after 1989’s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.”

The new film is slated for a summer 2008 release. Shia LaBeouf and Cate Blanchett also star. There has been great anticipation and abundant speculation as to the film’s details but Spielberg and producer George Lucas have kept it under wraps.

Shia LaBeouf visibly enjoyed spilling the beans in early September at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards in Las Vegas, when he disclosed the movie’s title.

“So I've been sworn to secrecy by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas not to tell you the title of the next Indiana Jones movie,” the young actor said.

“What the hell, I'm 21 and we're in Vegas, baby, so here it goes. The official title to the next Indiana Jones installment: ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.’ It's a big deal, nobody's ever heard it before.”

Among Harrison’s co-stars in the film are Karen Allen, Ray Winstone, John Hurt and Jim Broadbent. Sean Connery has refused to reprise his role as Indy’s father in the fourth installment.

“Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” refers to a pre-existing myth; this one involves 13 skulls carved from crystal quartz, hidden all over the world and thought to possess mystical powers.

Photo credit: indianajones.com