Suspect charged in theft of 80 computers from Ypsilanti schools
Washtenaw County sheriff's deputies have charged an 18-year-old Ypsilanti Township man in connection with the theft of about 80 computers from Ypsilanti Middle School and from the district's Return to Learn program, housed at the former George Elementary School.
Stephon Hansle, 18, is free after posting 10 percent of a $5,000 bond, Washtenaw County sheriff's officials said. He faces a felony charge of breaking and entering.
Officers also arrested and questioned a 34-year-old Ypsilanti Township man in connection with the thefts but he has not been charged, said sheriff's department spokesman Derrick Jackson. He is free pending further investigation.
Both suspects were arrested over the weekend, Jackson said. Other people may have been involved in the thefts, and the investigation is continuing, he said.
Deputies have recovered four of the computers and are contacting people who may have purchased or been given computers, Jackson said.
The sheriff's department is giving anyone who may have one of the computers until Friday to turn them in with no questions asked, Jackson said.
After Friday, anyone who has one of the computers could be charged with receiving stolen property.
Officials originally believed nearly 100 computers were stolen from the schools but have since discovered the number is closer to 80.
The bulk of the computers were discovered stolen from Ypsilanti Middle School when teachers came to work on April 18. They were believed to have been stolen over the weekend.
Also, about two dozen computers were discovered stolen April 14 from the district's Return to Learn classroom for students who have dropped out and are trying to earn a diploma, Jackson said.
Anyone with a computer he or she believes may have been stolen from the schools may turn it in at Ypsilanti High School or any sheriff's office station. Anyone with questions may call Deputy Charlie Ball at 734-734-714-1070.
Comments
Ricebrnr
Thu, May 5, 2011 : 2:51 p.m.
Don't forget how underfunded and important these tools are to our schools and students...
Catherine Wright
Wed, May 4, 2011 : 3:28 p.m.
This is an 18 year old kid with no priors. This isn't a home invasion charge or armed robbery. He's not a mob boss or a bank robber. It's a B/E. The bond is just. Don't forget how over crowded Washtenaw County Jail already is.
rs
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 11:59 p.m.
Not a very a proportionate bail considering they stole almost $100k worth of computer equipment. Collect $500 in bail, spend $10,000 on a skip tracer to track him down when he disappears...and the county wonder why they are running at a deficit.
SW40
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 8:55 p.m.
Cindy, Which one of our awesome liberal judges or magistrates allowed this joke of a bond.
alarictoo
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 8:49 p.m.
@zip - You're right. Pretty low bail all things considered. @gladys - definitely a group endeavor. We will have to see how long they can keep their mouths shut. As for the cameras, just look to the legal hassles that Ann Arbor schools have gone through from the ACLU, etc. when trying to add cameras to existing buildings. Get ready for the legal fees in advance. Also, if the computers were stored in one room that would work. However, there are computers in nearly every classroom. In the original story they said the computers were stolen from numerous rooms in the middle school building.
gladys
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 8:26 p.m.
There's no way ONE person stole 80 computers without help! Didn't that school have security cameras? If not, they need to get some - at least to survey the room where the computers are stored.
local
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 12:25 a.m.
and that money comes from where?
zip the cat
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 8:15 p.m.
$500.00 Bond for felony B/E. Absured