MONTANA STOLEN COMPUTERS RECOVERED http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2009/03/12/news/state/65-colstrip.txt

Security device leads police to stolen laptops

By The Gazette Staff

Five teens are accused of breaking into a Colstrip school building and taking three computers worth $5,000.

Colstrip Chief of Police Larry Reinlasoder said the kids entered the school administration building last July 28 through a hatch door on the roof.

Three boys were charged Monday with felony theft and trespass. They are Michael Martinez, 17, of Colstrip; Richard Moser, 15, of Billings, and Derek Brilz, 16, of Watertown, S.D.

Two other teens, ages 16 and 17, were referred to youth probation on trespass charges.

The investigation started July 30 when three laptop computers were reported stolen

Here is how Reinlasoder described the investigation:

One of the computers had a security tracking device, which became active in October 2008 and was traced to Billings. Police obtained an investigative subpoena on Internet addresses that were on the computer system.

The Internet was being accessed on various wireless connections. A Colstrip police officer traveled to Billings and, using information from the Internet sites being accessed, found a vehicle belonging to a 20-year-old woman.

The woman told officers she was at a house party in Colstrip in late September and a boy gave her a laptop com-puter. Police took the computer.

Colstrip police confirmed the woman's story and identified the five youths. One of the youths was interviewed and the other two computer computers were recovered.

from the board room of the school administration building, Reinlasoder said.

Published on Thursday, March 12, 2009.
Last modified on 3/12/2009 at 9:24 am