PENNSYLVANIA POLICE UPDATE ON COMPUTER THEFT AT SCHOOLSPublic Opinion - www.publicopiniononline.com - Chambersburg, PAPolice seek information on computer thefts
By KEITH PARADISE
Staff writer

Pennsylvania State Police in three counties are looking for the public's help to solve a rash of elementary school burglaries over the past six months.

Police and school officials estimate that more than $150,000 worth of equipment has been stolen since July. The thefts included more than 150 laptop computers, desktop computers, flat screen monitors and overhead projectors and even a transmitting monitor for visually impaired children.



Chambersburg Area School District Business Manager Rick Vensel confirmed that the district is offering a $2,500 reward and that it has turned over all information to the state police. The Franklin County Crime Solvers are also offering a $2,000 reward for information.

Cpl. James Wilson of the Carlisle barracks confirmed that police are currently putting together information to develop a profile on the suspects. Police believe that the burglaries might be connected, but Wilson said there isn't sufficient evidence to support the theory for now.
"There is a possibility that these are connected, but at this point we're looking to put together a profile but we have no named suspect," Wilson said.

The burglaries began with a July 6 break-in at the Newville Elementary School and thieves struck Big Spring High School the following night. Big Spring Middle School was broken into twice within a week with robbers striking on July 13 and 20.

Franklin County had its first school burglary in this spree on Aug. 13, when Lurgan Elementary School

had more than $12,000 worth of equipment stolen and was broken into again Aug. 16 and Nov. 10. Thieves got away with a multimedia projector valued at more than $6,000 in the November burglary.

Computer thieves have hit three schools in three counties this month, with Grandview Elementary having $25,000 worth of equipment stolen on Dec. 3, Rockhill Elementary in Huntingdon County burglarized on Dec. 7 and Mifflin Elementary School in Cumberland County reporting several computers stolen overnight on Dec. 14.

"They have rendered the computer lab basically useless. Grandview is basically labless," said Grandview Elementary Principal Jeffrey Lucas on Dec. 4.

With children and faculty out of school for Christmas and New Year's, police have increased patrols around the buildings and said that security systems are in place at some of the schools to prevent additional thefts.

Trooper Ed Asbury of the Chambersburg station said anyone who has recently purchased a computer through a friend or pawn shop can bring it to a state police to have it inspected. Police have on file all of the serial numbers for the stolen property and could verify any suspicions.

Wilson said that anyone who bought one of these computers and didn't know that it was stolen property would not face charges. However, anyone who knowingly bought a stolen computer could face receiving stolen property charges.

Meanwhile, police are looking for information on anyone who has been seen buying, selling or dealing in large quantities of computer equipment in the past six months. Police believe that the stolen equipment may have been offered for sale before the holidays and sold at a reduced price. They are also currently monitoring online auction sites, such as eBay, as well as pawn shops and flea markets.

"It's not like there's someone on the streets of downtown Chambersburg selling laptops. Some of these computers might even be being sold and shipped out of the country," Asbury said.




Originally published December 27, 2005