MICHIGAN (UPDATE) COMPUTERS STOLEN http://www.pointparkglobe.com/news/summer-theft-exposes-security-flaws-1.1639647

SEE VIDEO..................

• Video
• Photo

10 Arrested after Computers Stolen from Detroit Public Schools

Updated: Tuesday, 21 Sep 2010, 7:36 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 21 Sep 2010, 6:28 PM EDT

By ALEXIS WILEY
myFOXDetroit.com

DETROIT - Ten young men are accused of either stealing or concealing computers taken from Detroit Public Schools valued at more than $150,000. Authorities say these people weren’t just lining their pockets; they were robbing Detroit students of an education.

“Detroit school children were without the proper technology to be able to compete in this world. Other people were getting ahead with their equipment,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.

More than 100 laptops were stolen from four Detroit public schools within less than a month. The computers ended up in places such as Ohio and as far away as the United Arab Emirates; all a part of an organized ring allegedly conducted by ten young men. One of them a Michigan State football player, and all of them are no older than 22.

Authorities say the masterminds were 20-year-old Brian Rogers, 19-year-old Dwaine Scott and 18-year-old Mark Anthony Scott, allegedly members of a Detroit gang.

The seven other men allegedly involved are charged with receiving and concealing stolen property. One of them is 19-year-old Michigan State Tight End Dion Sims. They’re accused of selling the laptops on eBay and giving them to friends.

“These are thieves and thugs who are taking away from kids,” said DPS Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb.

Detroit public school officials were able to crack the alleged ring thanks to tracking devices in the laptops and security systems in the schools. Security systems Bobb said he will continue to improve.

“In addition to the cameras, the alarm systems, one suggestion from the Office of Inspector General was perhaps we have to install these huge, Brinks-type safes,” Bobb said.

However, authorities say this case is just the tip of the iceberg, and Worthy hopes these arrests send one clear message.

“When you talk about $158,000 on this case, and Mr. Bobb talks about almost a million dollars more that we have yet to investigate, we are slowly working our way up to the larger thieves,” Worthy said.

Michigan State’s athletic director tells FOX 2 that Sims has been suspended from the team pending the outcome of this investigation.

All the suspects involved in this case will be arraigned at a later date and more details will come out in court.