NEW HAMPSHIRE COMPUTERS STOLEN http://www.eagletribune.com/latestnews/x1623045440/Man-charged-in-theft-of-more-than-450-000-of-computer-equipment

March 27, 2011

Man charged in theft of more than $450,000 of computer equipment

By Mark E. Voglermvogler@eagletribune.com

LAWRENCE — A local man was arrested last night in connection with the theft of more than $450,000 worth of computer equipment and servers from the company that fired him earlier this year.

Lawrence police Chief John Romero said his department arrested Keith Dutton, 29, of 3 Jackson Terrace, Lawrence, around 11 last night. He is charged with breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony, 22 counts of larceny from a building, 22 counts of larceny over $250, possession of a burglarious tool and solicitation of a felony.

"It was a burglary of a business that turned into a rather large theft by a former employee," Romero said last night after police had recovered a truckload of some of the equipment stolen from Inventory Management Partners LLC of 15 Union St.

Romero said Dutton "had duped an individual of a neighboring business at the Everett Mills complex into helping to load the truck.

"That individual thought he was just helping out his friend. We don't believe he knew the stuff was stolen, and he later took us to a location where he had helped transport some of the merchandise."

Inventory Management Partners company owner Gregory Tashjian told Officer Michael M. Mangan that he had hired Dutton as a temporary employee, but fired him around the time of the Super Bowl for stealing cash from the company.

Tashjian escorted Mangan to the Everett Mills security office, where police were able to view surveillance film taken of the loading dock to 15 Union St. on Friday night.

"From watching the film, we were able to identify the suspect, as well as the vehicle used to take the stolen property away," Romero said.

"When they viewed the security film, the security guard recognized a truck belonging to another business in the same building, and he called the owner of the business and said 'Your son and truck may have been involved in a theft.'"

The man who loaded the truck with computer equipment and drove it to an Essex Street business took police to where the computer equipment had been dropped off. There, police were able to recover some of the stolen merchandise.

"I don't think the business was aware of the value of property that was stolen until the police arrived and seized what was remaining," Romero said. "We've got a lot more to do in this investigation."

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