By Sean Bailey / Staff Writer
A Williamsburg woman was arrested Tuesday for allegedly stealing two laptops from the University of the Cumberlands — one of which she stole using a fake student ID.
Penny Strunk, 26, was charged with two counts of receiving stolen property over $300, after a lengthy investigation led Williamsburg Police Department to her. At Strunk’s residence, officers recovered two laptops belonging to the U of C library.
Williamsburg Police Department Public Affairs Officer Shawn Jackson said one of the computers had a tracking device that helped police locate Strunk.
Jackson said Williamsburg Police Detective Bobby Freeman has been investigating a rash of stolen laptops from the college for the past two months.
“This case just happened to take a turn for the good today,” Jackson said Tuesday, “It was part of one of those long investigations that pays off with patience, which Freeman definitely had.”
Strunk, according to Jackson, is not a student at U of C.
Jackson said Strunk confessed to police that she stole the two laptops found at her residence.
Officer Jackson said Strunk allegedly obtained one of the laptops from U of C’s library by using a fake student ID. The U of C’s library has a service that allows students to check out laptops for use around campus.
Police are less sure of how she obtained the second laptop, but Jackson says it appears the second laptop had been checked back into the library before it was “just plain stolen.”
Jackson said police haven’t been able to pin down the motive behind the thefts, noting that bringing high-priced items like laptop computers to pawn shops often “raises eyebrows.”
“The thing about the motive is that when someone brings something into a pawn shop to sell something that is of a pretty significant value for a dirt cheap price, it raises suspicion right off the bat,” Jackson said.
The two stolen laptops were just two of a “rash” of reported missing laptops. Jackson said laptops have been taken not only from the library, but also dorm rooms. At this time, police are unsure if Strunk has anything to do with the other thefts.
Det. Freeman is continuing the investigation.
Jackson said the police were aided in the investigation not only by the tracking device in one of the computers, but the college as well.
“The college has been totally cooperative and helped us tremendously,” Jackson said.
Local News
Police: Woman used fake ID in theft of laptops
- Local News
-
-
Sawyers named Times-Tribune publisher
Longtime Sentinel-Echo Publisher Willie Sawyers has been named regional publisher with oversight of both the London paper and the Times-Tribune in Corbin.
-
7 arrested in drug roundup
Seven people were arrested Thursday following a two-month investigation that involved undercover buys of prescription drugs, according to Corbin Police Public Affairs Officer Major Rob Jones.
-
Police seek man wanted for home burglaries
Police are seeking the public’s help in finding a man they believe is responsible for the theft of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry from several burglarized homes in Williamsburg and Whitley County, according to Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird.
-
No report yet on body of Bright
The body of Delmer Bright was returned from the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s office Wednesday by Knox Coroner Mike Blevins.
-
Area legislators wait and see on redistricting
If the courts find the State Legislature’s redistricting plan constitutional, State Representative Marie Rader will find her 89th House District changing dramatically — with a razor-thin strip through the middle of Laurel County, connecting both Jackson and McCreary Counties.
-
Whitley, McCreary Farm Service Agencies to meet today
At 2 p.m. today at the Whitley County Extension office, agriculturalists will discuss the consolidation of the Whitley and McCreary counties’ USDA Farm Service Agencies.
-
Police Roundup - Feb. 2, 2012
London’s Kentucky State Police post has received a report of a scam or fraud trying to get credit or debit card account numbers.
-
Corbin sewer repairs to continue through May
Those crews doing work in the rain on some downtown Corbin streets Wednesday were digging in for a reason — to stop water from getting into the city’s sanitary sewer collection system. And the work will continue at times throughout the next few months before it’s finished.
-
Corbin Main Street prepares for new year
The man who heads Corbin’s Main Street Program says it’s time to do some exciting things. And they run from starting the early stages of master planning for the downtown area, all the way to introducing a new, user-friendly website for his organization.
-
Man dies after crash with train
Delmer Bright, 83, of Flat Lick, was pronounced dead Tuesday at Knox County Hospital just after 1 p.m.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
