Evidence found in computer theft case

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Two schools were robbed of computers in October, and police issued a warrant at that time for the arrest of Jesse Earl Istre, suspected of posing as a computer repairman and taking computers from Anderson High School and Murcheson Middle School.

Istre was not found, and the investigation suspended because there was not enough evidence to connect him to the thefts.

However, in December, investigators found the missing computers for sale at three different pawn shops in Austin. Pawn shop records at the three shops were reviewed, and Istre's name was attached to each of the computers as the person who pawned them.

One computer was discovered on Dec. 12 by an Austin Independent School District teacher, who alerted investigators after he saw his AISD-issued Apple Macbook laptop on display for sale at Cash America, located at 7935 Burnet Road.

Found on Dec. 15 at EZ Pawn, 2219 W. Ben White Blvd., was a Dell computer that belonged to AISD, issued to Anderson High School, valued at $1,471.

A third computer was found on Dec. 12 at the Cash America Pawn Shop, located at 1701 E. William Cannon Driver, also owned by AISD and pawned by Istre.

When found and taken into custody, Istre will be charged with theft of more than $1,500 but less than $20,000, a state jail felony. Bond is set at $22,500.

Anyone with information about Istre's whereabouts is asked to contact the Austin ISD Police Department at 512-414-1703.