MINNESOTA COMPUTER STOLEN Man charged in theft of WSU-issued computer : Winona Daily News

Man charged in theft of WSU-issued computer
By Kevin Behr | Winona Daily News

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A Winona man was charged Monday with felony theft of a computer and possession of stolen property with the intent to sell.

Jesse James Robertson, 21, faces up to five years in prison for the theft charge.
According to the police report, a Winona State University-issued Gateway laptop worth $1,578 was stolen out of a car between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. Sept. 1 in the parking lot of a Midtown Foods store in Winona.

Robertson was identified as a possible suspect during an investigation and authorities saw him with the stolen computer, police said. According to the report, Robertson was arrested Friday at his residence in the 450 block of Mankato Avenue during an interview by investigators.

Robertson made his first appearance in Winona County District Court on Monday morning, where he heard the charges and was ordered held in jail on $10,000 unconditional bail and $2,500 conditional bail or bond. He complained there was “no way” he could make bail and has been trying to stay out of trouble since being released from prison in July.

Assistant Winona County Attorney Kevin O’Laughlin highlighted Robertson’s criminal history, which includes convictions for felony theft and possession of stolen property, in arguing for $10,000 bail.

Robertson was granted work release to search for a job and is scheduled to return to court Sept. 18.

The computer has since been recovered and is still functioning, Deputy Chief Paul Bostrack said.

Kevin Behr may be reached at (507) 453-3524 or kbehr@winonadailynews.com.