CALIFORNIA COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM SCHOOLS RECOVERED http://www.nbc4.tv/news/10195015/detail.html

LOS ANGELES -- Police seized a cache of stolen property valued at $60,000, including computers from schools, that investigators believe was taken by thieves who planned to buy narcotics with the proceeds, it was announced Monday.

The investigation began last week when detectives at the Los Angeles Police Department's Newton Station got complaints from neighbors about excessive traffic and noise near a house in the 300 block of West 47th Street, according to the LAPD's Media Relations Section.

Burglary and narcotics detectives determined that the home was probably the base of a stolen property "fencing" operation. They put the home under surveillance on Friday and ended up arresting the resident, 63-year-old Benjamin Gallaga, on suspicion of possession ofstolen property.

Recovered from the home was jewelry, coin collections, miscellaneous electronic items and computers stolen from nearby schools, which Gallaga allegedly intended to sell at swap meets, according to the LAPD.

Those selling the stolen items appeared to be mostly transients attempting to raise money for drugs, investigators said.

Gallaga is due at the downtown Criminal Courts Building on Nov. 17.

For information on the stolen property, call burglary detectives at 323-846-6579.