October 04, 2006

That's just plumb weird.

Man charged with stealing Auburn laptop from Columbia hotel

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A 53-year-old homeless man is charged with stealing a laptop that belonged to the Auburn's football team and had the team's game plan.

Apparently wanting to gain some advantage over Willy the Wino's tough bunch of urban campers. Or something.

Authorities in Columbia, South Carolina, say Michael Stockman was arrested yesterday and charged with grand larceny after a resident recognized him from surveillance video aired on television and called 9-1-1.

The laptop was stolen last week from the Columbia Plaza Hotel, where the Tigers were staying. It was taken from the offensive meeting room following dinner on the eve of the Tigers' 24-to-17 victory over South Carolina.

So, does the Columbia Plaza usually have such a high traffic by homeless guys that this one didn't manage to arouse any suspicion? But talking about suspicious...

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said the laptop is worth $15,000.

FIFTEEN K for a LAPTOP? Was it made of solid gold? No WONDER the stupid thing got lifted!

I think if I had a $15,000 laptop, I would make sure it had a full-time guard carrying it around like the US nuclear launch codes. Better yet, I think I would explore using a three-ring binder and a little chalkboard.

Richland County Sheriff's spokesman Lieutenant Chris Cowan says Stockman did not know the laptop belonged to the Tigers.

Uhmm--and it would have mattered how, exactly? And seems like the lurid orange-and-blue stripes and the Tiger Eye logo would have been a clue.

Authorities are still searching for a second man caught on surveillance tape.

I bet he's the guy that got away with the $3,000 battery charger and the $900 printer cable.

Posted by Terry Oglesby at October 4, 2006 09:53 AM
Comments

I assume they use the same vendor for things as the Pentagon.

Posted by: skinnydan at October 4, 2006 10:47 AM

$15,000? I don't think such a thing exists. Of course, they could have a single license of some really special football game plan software on the laptop. If so, I think Tommy should be very careful about letting it get out since even at $15k, it is cheaper than him.

With the software, Auburn could just use the backup QB to read the plan and wave frantically from the sideline. They could probably do away with the earphone guy in the booth also. You know, the one they always show on TV when a play goes awry.

Posted by: Larry Anderson at October 4, 2006 10:54 AM

And Dan, watch the Pentagon remarks. That's how I make my living. Not that I am over priced or anything.

Posted by: Larry Anderson at October 4, 2006 11:06 AM

Larry, sounds like you need to be in the laptop business...

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at October 4, 2006 11:13 AM