Man pleads guilty to computer theft cases

A man suspected in a rash of computer thefts that totaled more than $22,000 in losses by several Carson City businesses pleaded guilty Tuesday to four felonies.

Christopher Campbell, 25, could spend as little as one year and as many as 35 years behind bars when he is sentenced on Sept. 12. In a plea agreement with prosecutors, he admitted one count of burglary and three counts of possession of stolen property.

Each of the four counts carries a fine of up to $10,000. On the stolen property charges, Campbell will be required to pay restitution to victims.

Campbell was arrested May 31 for a rash of break-ins and computer thefts that is believed to have started Jan. 17. Police believe that Campbell and his wife, Stacey Campbell, 26, hit businesses that were not protected by alarms, specifically aiming for computer and high-tech equipment.

Stacey Campbell waived a preliminary hearing in justice court but has not appeared for her district court arraignment. Her case is being tried separately from her husband's.

Deputies found the stolen property at the couple's home on Otha Street. Included in the rash of burglaries were the Brewery Arts Center, Charles Kitchen Realty and Wylie's Copy Center, which was hit twice in two weeks. More than 15 small businesses - including several law offices - were burglarized.

Because one of the break-ins occurred at the Nevada Public Defender's Office, it was precluded from representing either Stacey or Christopher.

Investigators have alleged that more than 20 cases of burglary were solved as a result of the couple's arrest.

Prior to their arrests Christopher maintained a job as a plumber while his wife was unemployed.

The couple was turned in by an anonymous call to police.

A date for Stacey Campbell's arraignment has not been set.