SOUTH CAROLINA COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINAWIStv.com Columbia, SC: USC's Sorensen says investigation into stolen equipment will take longerColumbia-AP) Jan. 12, 2005 - University of South Carolina President Andrew Sorensen says his investigation into the theft of computer and video equipment from Williams-Brice Stadium might take a few more weeks.

The athletic department reported the theft of video equipment to campus police November 23rd. The school says three laptop computers, two video projectors and 12 framed pictures were taken.

They were worth about $18,000. The large photos hang in the locker room, its lobby and the surrounding hallways at the stadium.

The athletic department this week denied a Freedom of Information Act request by the Associated Press to look at documents, reports and surveillance tapes of the incident. USC says the material is not available because it's being reviewed by school police.

University of South Carolina President Andrew Sorensen was expected in mid-December to receive a report on the incident. He said then he was investigating whether serious disciplinary measures were still possible and said there could be criminal investigations. USC said initially the incident has been dealt with internally and at least one player has been disciplined.

Last month South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said about three to four players were involved in the November theft. Names of the players involved in the alleged thefts have not been released.

The items turned up missing after the evening of November 22nd when athletic director Mike McGee told players they weren't going to a bowl game as punishment for their on-field brawl with Clemson two days earlier.

Both Clemson and Carolina made the announcement on November 22nd, despite having bowl eligible 6-5 records. The fight broke out with 5:48 left in the game when South Carolina failed to convert on fourth down. Both teams were assessed unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and the game was halted for about ten minutes. Clemson won the game 29-7.

Several players say the team was disappointed, hurt and angry. An incident report from USC Police filed November 26th suggests in response, angry players walked off with the equipment.

The report called the case "Grand Larceny." A second report filed almost a week later said the items had been returned and no larceny had taken place.

The athletic department first said all of the items were returned, then said most of the items were returned. No word on the dollar amount of unreturned items.