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Tracking software helps with location of computer thief

The Maui News

WAILUKU — Tracking software in a stolen computer led investigators to a Lahaina man, who was placed on one year’s probation for theft.

Kelly Wilkins, 49, said he had bought the computer, printer and docking station for $300 from someone in a Kaanapali parking lot.

“The girl started crying and talking about airplane tickets,” Wilkins said during his 2nd Circuit Court sentencing April 26. “That’s my life lesson — I’ll never buy anything electronic outside of a department store.”

Wilkins was sentenced after he pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of third-degree theft.

After the computer and printer were discovered missing from an office at the Westin Kaanapali in August, the resort’s information technology employees were able to use tracking software to remotely operate the computer camera and take a photo of Wilkins at his home, said Deputy Prosecutor Ryan Teshima.

Wilkins cooperated with police, also giving back a docking station that the hotel hadn’t realized was missing, he said.

The charge against Wilkins was reduced from felony theft because of issues in proving the value of the stolen property, Teshima said.

Wilkins should have been put on notice by his prior history, which includes convictions for larceny, receiving stolen property and felony cocaine possession in North Carolina, he said.

“If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is,” Teshima said.

Judge Peter Cahill said Wilkins was “ripped off” when he paid $300 for the used laptop computer.

“It’s not too good to be true,” Cahill said. “It’s just dumb.”

“The lesson to be learned here is how they tracked it down,” he said. “The lesson is there are no secrets today. To me, that’s an astonishing thing.”

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