PENNSYLVANIA COMPUTERS STOLEN Wal-Mart Laptops Worth Thousands Stolen In Diversionary Plot - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh:

Wal-Mart Laptops Worth Thousands Stolen In Diversionary Plot
State Police Investigate Big Connellsville Theft; Case May Reach Further

POSTED: 2:46 pm EDT April 3, 2009
UPDATED: 8:43 pm EDT April 3, 2009

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CONNELLSVILLE, Pa. -- At least two and as many as 10 people may have been involved in a plot that saw thousands of dollars worth of laptop computers stolen from Wal-Mart, WTAE Channel 4's Bob Mayo has learned.

Knowledgeable sources say that a team of thieves -- possibly using a crowbar -- took laptops worth $7,800 from a display case at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Connellsville between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Several people may have been involved in the actual theft at the store on Morrell Avenue, with others staging distractions to occupy the employees, informed sources told Mayo.

Sources also said the thieves may be part of a ring that's operating locally and in other states, and that they tried to hit the Wal-Mart stores in Waynesburg and Greensburg but were scared off.

A trooper who answered the phone Friday at the state police barracks in Uniontown referred questions to the public information officer, Trooper Brian Burden, and said that the FBI may also be involved.

Later Friday afternoon, Burden declined comment to Channel 4 Action News because he said the investigation is ongoing.

The FBI office in Pittsburgh also declined comment.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Ashley Hardie wouldn't discuss details of the case but said that "this is an active police investigation" and "we are cooperating fully with investigators." She referred all other questions to police.