NORTH CAROLINA COMPUTER THIEF SENTENCED

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770111037

Man gets prison on stolen property charge

by Clarke Morrison

published January 11, 2007 2:23 pm

ASHEVILLE – An Asheville man will spend more than 11 years in prison following his conviction this week of possession of stolen property.

Robert Edgar Upchurch was sentenced as a habitual felon in Buncombe County Superior Court to between 140 and 177 months in prison, Assistant District Attorney Chris Hess said.

Hess said computers and other electronic equipment were stolen from Asheville Communications on Orchard Street. Investigators traced calls from a stolen cell phone and found the items at a local motel where Upchurch was staying.

Upchurch had about a dozen previous felony convictions on breaking, entering and larceny charges in Forsyth County and Rhode Island, Hess said. The jury returned the guilty verdict Wednesday