PENNSYLVANIA COMPUTER THIEVES CHARGED IN THEFT FROM UNIVERSITY LABThe Sentinel Online : Local News

2 more charged in computer thefts from SU lab

By Dale Heberlig January 22, 2005


Two more men have been arrested in connection with the December thefts of computer systems and components from a Shippensburg University lab.

SU police filed felony counts Tuesday against Brian Strawser, 32, and Dwayne Welker, 19, charging them as codefendants of Martin A. Strom, who was charged in the thefts Jan. 13.

All three men are, or were, residents of the same group residence home in the first block of East Orange Street in Shippensburg.

In an affidavit, SU police say Strom told them Welker was an accomplice in the crimes. When questioned, police say Welker admitted his involvement and fingered Strawser as another accomplice.

According to the affidavit, Welker said he and Strawser decided to join Strom Dec. 16 when they discovered "how easy" it had been for Strom to steal computers in an earlier theft from SU's Mathematics and Computing Technologies Center.


Welker allegedly told police the trio went to the center in Strom's vehicle about 1:30 a.m. Dec. 16 and found the first computer lab they approached to be occupied. The threesome then allegedly went down the hall to Room 164, which was locked.

According to the affidavit, Strom returned to his car to retrieve a screwdriver and used it to remove a molding around the door's glass so the window pane could be removed. He then reached through the window opening and opened the door from the inside.

Two wore gloves

Once inside, Strom and Welker allegedly removed two computer systems and Strawser helped carry the equipment down a back staircase. Strawser then allegedly returned to the building to wipe off his fingerprints. Welker and Strom allegedly were wearing gloves.

Strom was identified when SU personnel saw ads on eBay for the identical equipment that was stolen. When police tracked the ads, they say they found Strom to be the seller.

Strawser and Welker are free on $5,000 unsecured bail each, charged with three counts each of felony criminal conspiracy as well as felony counts of burglary, criminal trespass and theft.

Strom remains in Cumberland County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail on two felony counts of unlawful use of a computer and theft by unlawful taking, and a misdemeanor charge of receiving stolen property.

District Justice Harold Bender says Strom's bail is higher because authorities believe he is the leader of the theft ring and may be a flight risk, since he no longer resides at the group facility and has no fixed address .

Bender says the other two men are not considered "a flight risk" in part because they have "ties to the community."

Bender says SU police have the latitude to amend the charges against Strom prior to a Jan. 24 preliminary hearing, when all three men are to appear in court.