MISSOURI COMPUTERS STOLEN http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/14/2949629/kc-man-accused-of-stealing-computers.html

KC man accused of stealing computers from tornado-damaged Joplin school

Charles C. Rice Jr.

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Kansas City police have arrested a 41-year-old Kansas City man and recovered four computers stolen from a severely damaged Joplin elementary school.

Police said the man apparently visited Joplin after the tornado, had photos of the destruction on his cell phone and told a former girlfriend he went to Joplin to volunteer. But when questioned by police, the man denied visiting Joplin and denied stealing the computers, police said.

Police sent a file to Jackson County prosecutors, who charged Charles C. Rice today with four counts of receiving stolen property. He remained in jail today in lieu of a $10,000 bond.

The owner of a computer technical support company alerted police to the stolen computers. Police said Rice called the owner for help in unlocking one of the computers.

Once the owner unlocked the computer, he saw the words, “Joplin School District” on the screen, police said. Rice allegedly asked the owner if he could unlock several others and the owner agreed. Rice allegedly said he had to pawn one of the computers to get the money to pay the owner for his work.

Several days later, Rice allegedly re-contacted the owner, who was working with police. Investigators set up a sting, arrested Rice and confiscated the computers.

Police linked the serial numbers on the computer to Emerson Elementary School, which sustained severe damage by the EF-5 tornado that hit May 22. A school district official said their insurance company was still investigating whether to declare the building a total loss, but she said the building could not be used in the upcoming school year.

Sam Anselm, of the Joplin City Manager’s Office, said Joplin officers were “working diligently to make sure additional thefts don’t happen, and catching those who continue to exploit the situation.”

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