MICHIGAN COMPUTERS STOLEN http://www.detnews.com/article/20110326/SCHOOLS/103260360/1410/METRO01/Man-testifies-he-sold-stolen-DPS-laptops

Last Updated: March 26. 2011 1:00AM

Man testifies he sold stolen DPS laptops

Candice Williams / The Detroit News

Detroit— One of the participants in a theft ring that stole and resold laptop computers belonging to Detroit Public Schools testified Friday that he sold Macbooks taken in the scheme on Craigslist.

As part of a plea deal, Christopher Schambre, 21, took the stand in 36th District Court and described purchasing 12 Macbooks from one of the defendants, Jaisaun Holt, for $4,000 in December 2009

Schambre testified during a preliminary hearing for Holt, 18, and three other defendants: Brian Delano Rogers, 20; Dwaine Scott, 19; and Mark A. Scott, 18. Dwaine Scott, Mark Scott and Rogers are described by authorities as the ringleaders in the scheme, which allegedly involved selling more than $100,000 in laptops stolen from DPS.

Schambre was sentenced to one year probation in December for receiving and concealing stolen goods.

While on the stand, Schambre said he resold all but one of the laptops on Craigslist the day after he got them. He said the exchange was orchestrated by another man charged with involvement in the theft ring, Nicholas Tisdale, as well as Dion Sims, a Michigan State football player who was sentenced to one year probation and a year of community service.

"I knew he was involved in the process," Schambre said of Sims.

Schambre said midway through selling the laptops, he discovered they were stolen while checking their warranties on the Apple website. He said he sold the laptops, except one, to earn his money back.

Schambre said he called the St. Clair Shores Police Department Dec. 30 and handed over the last laptop.

A few days later, in January 2010, Schambre said he received a voicemail from a man who said he had more laptops to sell, Dell models this time. Dell laptops were stolen from Northwestern High School on Jan. 3, 2010, officials said.

A tape of the message was played in court. The phone number was traced back to the Helly Helly Bois gang, said Robert Barenie, special investigator for DPS. Rogers and the Scott brothers were linked to the group.

Holt, Rogers and the Scott brothers once attended DPS, officials said.

Officials have not revealed how the Dell and Apple Macbook computers were stolen from four schools. The laptops were sold on eBay, Craigslist and to friends and acquaintances of the defendants from across the United States, Canada and the United Arab Emirates, authorities allege.

The exam will continue May 6.

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110326/SCHOOLS/103260360/Man-testifies-he-sold-stolen-DPS-laptops#ixzz1HvOouonN