NEW YORK COMPUTER STOLEN FROM HOSPITAL Police say man stole computer from hospital(Original publication: April 9, 2004)

A Bronx man learned the hard way that the videotape doesn't lie when police charged him with stealing a computer from the Putnam Hospital Center, a crime that was captured by a security camera.

Steven Tyska, 50, is scheduled to appear May 3 in Carmel Town Court to answer a charge of fourth-degree grand larceny, a felony. Investigator Vincent Martin and Senior Investigator Patrick Castaldo from the county sheriff's office went to the Bronx on Tuesday, arrested Tyska at his apartment and recovered the stolen computer, Sheriff Donald Smith said.

Smith said Tyska went to the hospital on Dec. 21 to visit a relative who was a patient there. While walking past an office on the ground floor, Tyska saw a computer on an unattended reception desk and decided to steal it, police said. He allegedly wrapped the computer in a plastic trash bag, placed it under his arm and carried it off.

But Smith said that Tyska wasn't aware that the theft of the $1,100 device was captured on a hospital security camera. With help from hospital security personnel, Martin was able to identify Tyska as the suspect. Tyska, who faces up to four years in prison if convicted, was arraigned before Carmel Town Justice Joseph Spofford.