Over $5M in stolen computer equipment recovered in Fresno Co., deputies say
FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Over $5 million in stolen computer equipment has been recovered by deputies in Fresno County, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said.
On Wednesday around 11 p.m. on Feb. 28, a Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a vehicle stop on a 2013 Nissan Van traveling south on Interstate 5, the Highway 33 turnoff.
According to sheriff’s officials, 49-year-old Manuel Romero Acosta of Burbank was contacted and the deputy developed information about possible criminal activity.
Deputies say a search of the van revealed numerous boxes of new computer components. Since it was unknown at the time if the items were stolen, deputies say the van was towed to a storage facility with the contents remaining inside. The deputy issued Acosta, who was unlicensed, a traffic citation.
On Wednesday, deputies say they carried out a search warrant and confirmed that the computer components were stolen from the San Francisco Port Authority. The owner of the items was contacted and stated these memory devices and data storage servers were worth an estimated $5.1 million.
Deputies say an arrest warrant has been authored for the driver, Manuel Romero Acosta of Burbank.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111.
