FLORIDA COMPUTER STOLEN FROM CITY HALLWFTV.com - News - Computer Stolen From City Hall Contained Employees' Personal InfoComputer Stolen From City Hall Contained Employees' Personal Info

POSTED: 5:43 pm EST December 21, 2004
UPDATED: 5:49 pm EST December 21, 2004

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Channel 9 has learned that a computer stolen from Kissimmee city hall was filled with employees' personal information. Somehow, no one noticed the man walking through city hall with a computer stuffed under his jacket.

The suspect is shown in an image from surveillance video.

The building is open to the public, so people are in and out of different offices every day. The thief was in and out of the second floor conference room within seconds.

The thief's actions were caught on camera as he sat, walked around and watched for 16 minutes before helping himself to $5,000 worth of equipment.

"Very bold, very brazen," comments Ralph Herrera, Kissimmee Police Department.


The suspect is shown leaving with cords hanging out in an image from surveillance video.

Through a glass window and door, it wasn't hard to see the laptop computer, printer and signature pad sitting on the conference room table. In less than a minute, they were all gone.

"He fit it all under his jacket and he walked out with cords hanging out his jacket. So, didn't appear he was too worried about being caught," says Herrera.

In fact, the Colonial insurance agent who owned the laptop had just left it. He'd been signing up city employees like Kevin Lewis.

"With all that information on the computer, social security numbers and things like that, it's a little scary," says Lewis.

He knows what can happen. He's been a victim of identity theft before.

"It was pretty difficult to go through all the channels of getting that off your credit," he says.

That's something the cops working this case don't want to have to do. They, too, are city employees. The computer requires a password to get in and another for the files. The thief would have to be a high-tech criminal to crack them.

"We don't know if he was at city hall on legitimate business and the opportunity presented itself. We don't know if he was there for the sole purpose of finding something to steal," says Herrera.

Lewis just hopes the thief's purpose doesn't include stealing his identity.

"Nothing I would want to go through again. One time is enough for me," says Lewis.

Police are hoping the public can help recognize the thief. If you do, give them a call. There is a $1,500 reward.