Norristown couple accused of theft from nonprofit surrenders to police
By: MARGARET GIBBONS, Times Herald Staff
09/09/2008
By: MARGARET GIBBONS, Times Herald Staff
09/09/2008
COURTHOUSE - A Norristown couple, charged with ripping off a nonprofit mental health agency in Lansdale, Tuesday morning turned themselves in to authorities.
Adam Wolbransky, 25, and Arlynne Gulden, 22, both of the 1000 block of New Hope Street, were arraigned before District Judge Harold Borek on charges of theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy.
Wolbransky, who worked at the agency as a residential counselor, and Gulden, his live-in girlfriend, were released on $5,000 recognizance bail. Their preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 16.
The charges stem from the July theft of 14 new notebook computers, having a combined value of more than $14,000, from Northwestern Human Services.
The agency, which provides services to the mentally ill, had purchased the computers through a county grant for its social workers to use on outpatient visits to the mentally ill clients.
"This is just a horrible crime," said county Assistant District Attorney Tracey Potere.
"Services for the mentally ill are under-funded as it is and the value of these computers is a lot of money to take from a non-profit agency," said Potere. "I think it is disgusting what they are charged with doing."
Potere credited the "great police work and cooperation" between the Lansdale police and state police in nabbing the couple and recovering nine of the stolen computers, with the possibility of recovering the remaining five.
The computers arrived at the agency on July 25 and were locked in an office over the weekend. The theft was discovered when workers returned on that Monday, July 28.
With no signs of a break-in visible, authorities immediately believed that one of the agency's employees was involved, according to Potere.
Continuing their investigation, authorities went on the Internet and discovered that computers similar to the ones that were stolen were being offered for sale on Craig's List.
An undercover state police officer made contact with the seller, a Philadelphia man who with his wife operates an online business that buys and sells used electronic devices, and made arrangements to purchase one of the computers. The serial number of that computer matched one that had been stolen.
A second sale was arranged and, at that time, the seller agreed to cooperate with police.
The seller, who was selling the computers for about $1,000 each, said he purchased six of the computers for $1,850 from Wolbransky.
Police, who cross-referenced the name with a list of employees they had received from the agency, subsequently brought Wolbransky in for an interview.
Explaining that he and Gulden were experiencing financial problems, Wolbransky reportedly told authorities that they went to the agency's office for which he had a key over the July 26 weekend, according to the criminal complaint. After securing another key from a desk drawer and unlocking the office in which the computers had been stored, Wolbransky and Gulden then stole the computers, according to the criminal complaint.
Adam Wolbransky, 25, and Arlynne Gulden, 22, both of the 1000 block of New Hope Street, were arraigned before District Judge Harold Borek on charges of theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy.
Wolbransky, who worked at the agency as a residential counselor, and Gulden, his live-in girlfriend, were released on $5,000 recognizance bail. Their preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 16.
The charges stem from the July theft of 14 new notebook computers, having a combined value of more than $14,000, from Northwestern Human Services.
The agency, which provides services to the mentally ill, had purchased the computers through a county grant for its social workers to use on outpatient visits to the mentally ill clients.
"This is just a horrible crime," said county Assistant District Attorney Tracey Potere.
"Services for the mentally ill are under-funded as it is and the value of these computers is a lot of money to take from a non-profit agency," said Potere. "I think it is disgusting what they are charged with doing."
Potere credited the "great police work and cooperation" between the Lansdale police and state police in nabbing the couple and recovering nine of the stolen computers, with the possibility of recovering the remaining five.
The computers arrived at the agency on July 25 and were locked in an office over the weekend. The theft was discovered when workers returned on that Monday, July 28.
With no signs of a break-in visible, authorities immediately believed that one of the agency's employees was involved, according to Potere.
Continuing their investigation, authorities went on the Internet and discovered that computers similar to the ones that were stolen were being offered for sale on Craig's List.
An undercover state police officer made contact with the seller, a Philadelphia man who with his wife operates an online business that buys and sells used electronic devices, and made arrangements to purchase one of the computers. The serial number of that computer matched one that had been stolen.
A second sale was arranged and, at that time, the seller agreed to cooperate with police.
The seller, who was selling the computers for about $1,000 each, said he purchased six of the computers for $1,850 from Wolbransky.
Police, who cross-referenced the name with a list of employees they had received from the agency, subsequently brought Wolbransky in for an interview.
Explaining that he and Gulden were experiencing financial problems, Wolbransky reportedly told authorities that they went to the agency's office for which he had a key over the July 26 weekend, according to the criminal complaint. After securing another key from a desk drawer and unlocking the office in which the computers had been stored, Wolbransky and Gulden then stole the computers, according to the criminal complaint.
Margaret Gibbons can be reached at mgibbons@timesherald.com or 610-272-2501 ext. 216.
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