Albany firefighter’s stolen computer led to burglars

ALBANY — Stolen on Monday in Lee County, a wired-up laptop computer led to a burglary ring in Albany Wednesday.

Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies followed a tracking signal right to the computer and more loot.

“My wife had the LoJack put in the computer when we got it,” Albany Fire Department arson investigator Sam Harris said Thursday. “They broke in the house Monday and stole it. It was recovered, along with my power washer, jewelry, a video camcorder.”

Investigators with the Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit, the Lee Sheriff’s office and the Albany Police Department served search warrants at 509 Baldwin Drive at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Officers seized flat-screen televisions, jewelry, guns, electronics, Harris’ tell-tale computer and more with an estimated value from $10,000 to $60,000, according to the Albany Police Department.

“We have taken the lead on the Baldwin Drive case and are working jointly with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office,” an APD spokesperson said Thursday

Sorting through the stolen goods, police and sheriff’s deputies have found a trove of loot from at least two other counties, Webster and Terrell, Lee County Sheriff Reggie Rachals said.

More than six people were placed in custody when warrants were served. One man has been charged, but because the investigation is ongoing and widening, his name was not released.

“I think it was a great job my deputies did,” Rachals said. “The case is still under investigation, and we have to assist all the other agencies involved.”