5 Arrests In South Bay Armed Computer Chip Theft Ring
FREMONT (KCBS) – Some members of a ring allegedly responsible for stealing more than 1.5 million computer chips have been nabbed by authorities in Silicon Valley.
At least 15 masked men tied up employees at Unigen Corp. in Fremont in late February, stealing more than $37 million in chips.
"Over the past six weeks, the Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team, also known as REACT, a Bay Area high technology crimes task force, has worked relentlessly to solve this chip robbery, one of the most serious and shocking of its kind," said Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
Rosen said so far, five suspects have been arrested in what's considered the largest computer chip robbery in Bay Area history.
"Given the severity of their alleged crimes, the defendants face a maximum of life in prison if convicted of the charges, which include armed robbery and kidnapping for robbery," he said. "REACT and its law enforcement allies continue to gather information about this case."
Some 98 percent of the stolen chips have been recovered.
REACT, which is directed by the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, has been assisted by local authorities, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arm.
(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
