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Tales Of Stolen Laptops
Chris Crum
Staff Writer
2006-05-24
 Security News RSS Feed
As the topic of laptop theft came up from the recent Department of Veterans Affairs incident, Absolute Software shared a press release with me that I had not seen.
Absolute has a tracking solution called Computrace that is embedded in many laptops. When a laptop with Computrace is reported stolen, Absolute works with police to recover the computer. Along with these stolen laptops come some unusual stories.
Contained in the press release are some short but interesting stories involving laptop theft.
Here are a few of them:
Chop Shop Uncovered Thanks to Computrace
In Texas, Computrace led police to an auto repair shop, where they found not only the laptop that had been reported stolen, but a stolen luxury SUV, worth over $50,000. Numerous arrests ensued, and the case continues.
Santa Returns Laptops Stolen During Hurricane Katrina
Three laptops reported stolen during Hurricane Katrina were purchased by a woman in Alabama over an online auction service. The buyer kept one of the laptops for herself, and arranged for Santa to give the other two to her kids for Christmas. When informed that the used laptops she had purchased were stolen, Santa Mom offered up the computers. Not wanting to ruin Christmas for the kids, local law enforcement gave Santa a few days grace, giving her time to purchase two identical new laptops, transfer the electronic files over while the kids slept, and then replace the laptops, with the kids none the wiser!
Stolen Laptops Flunk Student
Two laptops reported stolen from a university in Florida began calling from the same location. Detectives discovered the suspect was a student at the university - and was using the laptops to send out graduation invitations to his family and friends. When a detective knocked on the door and asked the student if he knew why he was there, he replied, matter-of-factly, that he'd stolen two laptops from school. Despite the student's admirable - though belated - cooperation, the youth was charged with two counts of grand theft and will not be graduating.
Stolen Laptop Brings Down House of Crime
A stolen laptop recently pointed authorities in North Carolina to an individual allegedly involved in a wide range of criminal activity. According to local law enforcement officers, the ensuing investigation of the residence revealed not only the stolen laptop, but various other allegedly stolen goods, including another computer ready to ship to an unsuspecting shopper from an online auction service. Also found at the residence were large amounts of contraband. Numerous charges are pending, while the investigation continues.
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About the Author:
Chris Crum is a staff writer for SecurityProNews and WebProNews.
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