Sheriff's Detectives Recover Dozens of Stolen School Computers

Santa Barbara - June 10th, 2010

Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Detectives have recovered 52 of 60 laptop computers stolen from an elementary school in Montecito in the early morning hours of Monday, June 7, 2010.

At approximately 3:49 am on June 7, three suspects entered the campus of Cold Springs Elementary School on the 2200 Block of Sycamore Canyon Road. While on campus, the suspects broke into several classrooms and stole 60 laptop computers worth an estimated $84,000. The theft was discovered later that morning when school staff arrived to work. Sheriff’s Deputies immediately responded to begin the investigation.

As Sheriff’s Detectives worked on the case, they received an anonymous tip about the possible whereabouts of the computers. By Tuesday afternoon, detectives had travelled to Northern California where they recovered 52 of the 60 stolen computers at a location in the Bay Area. Due to the ongoing nature of the case, details of the recovery are not being released to the public; however, the Sheriff’s Office can confirm that no arrests were made at that time.

On Thursday, June 10, 2010, Sheriff’s Detectives released 12 seconds of surveillance video that shows the three suspects entering the school at the time of the burglary. This footage is being distributed in the hopes that someone will recognize any of the people on the tape.

If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of the eight outstanding computers or the identity of the suspects, please contact Detective Wes Johnson at (805) 684-5405 X423, or call the Sheriff’s Tip-Line at (805) 681-4171.

For more information regarding news related issues
please contact Drew Sugars, Public Information Officer.

Business Hours: (805) 681-4100
EMAIL:pio@sbsheriff.org