VIRGINIA COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM UNIVERSITY Fredericksburg.com - Arrests made in thefts of laptops at university

Three Fredericksburg residents have been charged in the theft of more than $35,000 worth of laptops and audiovisual equipment from an academic building at the University of Mary Washington.

Pamela Lowery, the university's director of technology training, reported to police that 18 laptops had been stolen from an informational technology room in duPont Hall on Jan. 16, according to Police Chief James Snipes.

Officer Wallace Janish checked the room where the computers were stolen and found three people coming out of an adjoining room, Snipes said.

According to police, the three also were in the building earlier in the evening when audiovisual equipment was stolen.

Timothy Darr, 23, Theodore Allen, 25, and a 14-year-old boy each have been charged with three counts of breaking and entering and three counts of grand larceny, both felonies, in connection with the incidents. Darr and Allen also were charged each with four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, also a felony.

Police have recovered 11 of the 18 stolen laptops.

Late in 2005, 10 laptops were stolen from residence halls in a wave of separate incidents. Police developed a description of the suspect, and said the these suspects do not match the description, but said they are still investigating the connection.

To reach KATIE TELLER: 540/374-5000, ext. 5558
Date published: 2/7/2006