Y. students arrested in thefts

Police used surveillance system in computer lab

PROVO — Two Brigham Young University students were arrested after police identified them in footage taken by a surveillance camera mounted on a computer in a lab on the Provo campus.

"They opened the door and they were caught on that camera," said a computer lab employee, who asked that his name not be used. "We got some pretty good pictures."

According to the employee, the cameras were set up in the David O. McKay Building after two men were seen lurking in the computer lab shortly before Thanksgiving. At that time, the employee said, the men were scared off by another lab attendant.

Concerned about the incident and two recent thefts in the department, an "eyesight camera," which connects to a computer and is motion-sensitive, was installed in the office.

That camera taped the two men entering the lab using a master key around 2 a.m. on Dec. 9.

"They must not be Apple-users or they would have spotted it (the camera)," said the employee, who contacted university police after viewing the footage.

Since finals conclude this week, police made it a top priority to identify the men in the surveillance footage before the holiday break. According to BYU Police Lt. Greg Barber, the video provided enough identifying information that police were able to quickly narrow the 30,000 student population to two men.

"We felt pretty secure that we knew who they were," Barber said of the students. "One of our security officers identified one of the individuals involved."

BYU students Kristopher "Kia" Kamauu, 25, and Matthew Reinbold, 25, were arrested Friday evening for investigation of burglary. Both played on BYU's rugby team last year.

While formal charges have not been filed, both men appeared at a Monday court hearing, where bail was set at $15,000 each. According to jail records, bail was posted for both men Monday afternoon, ending their three-day jail stay.

BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins said she recently sent a university-wide bulletin that warned all departments about a possible computer theft operation.

"We asked for the support of the campus community, and we received it," Jenkins said.

She said police are now trying to determine if the thefts over the past 18 months are linked.

Barber said thousands of dollars of stolen electronic equipment was recovered over the weekend after police obtained a warrant to search two homes. Following the two searches, Barber determined that most of the stolen property was being stored at the homes.

There was evidence that a few items may have been sold on eBay, however.

With the holiday break near, Jenkins said police are carefully investigating how the men obtained a master key to the computer lab. She said officials are also trying to determine the value of the recovered equipment.

BYU rugby coach Jared Aitken said he is upset that two of his players were arrested in connection with the thefts. Aitken said that Kamauu played for the team last year and has close friendships with other rugby players.

Reinbold was expected to join the team for its fifth season, scheduled to start in January.

Aitken said Reinbold has been removed from the team roster and will be replaced by incoming players.

The Honor Code Office is reviewing the case, and both Kia and Reinbold have been banned from campus.

Reinbold wouldn't comment when contacted Tuesday by the Deseret Morning News.

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E-mail: lwarner@desnews.com

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