VIRGINIA TIP LEADS POLICE TO STOLEN COMPUTERS Tip leads to stolen electronic property - Roanoke.com:

Tip leads to stolen electronic property
Police recovered some of the computers and other goods stolen from three schools last year.

By Reed Williams
981-3334

Investigations into the theft of more than $30,000 in equipment from three Roanoke County schools last year had gone cold.

Then, earlier this month, county police Officer Jason Taylor got a crucial tip that has resulted in the recovery of between $8,000 and $10,000 worth of the stolen electronics, not counting items rendered unusable, authorities said.

'Considering the amount of time that's gone by, we were really surprised to lay our hands on that much stolen property,' said county police Lt. Chuck Mason.

Last year's three burglaries took place at Cave Spring Elementary School in February, Back Creek Elementary in March and Hidden Valley High School in October.

Stolen were laptop and desktop computers, walkie-talkie radios and other electronic equipment.

Police estimate that the break-ins caused more than $7,000 in damage to the schools.

Authorities say they suspect two people in the burglaries: a 17-year-old boy who attends Hidden Valley and an 18-year-old man who used to attend the high school and now goes to Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, N.C.