http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002-08-09-laptops_x.htm 08/09/2002 TAMPA (AP) - Two laptop computers that had been missing from the military command center coordinating the war in Afghanistan were recovered Friday, and a suspect was in custody, an Air Force spokesman said. One of the computers that disappeared Thursday from the U.S. Central Command contained classified information. Maj. Mike Richmond, a spokesman for the Air Force's Office of Special Investigations, wouldn't comment on a motive but said the laptops apparently weren't taken because of information they contained. He also said the theft had nothing to do with espionage. The computers were recovered from a private residence. The suspect is a member of the military who had access to the secure area where the laptops were kept, but Richmond declined to identify his branch or rank. "He was one who was on the list and had access, and in the course of talking to him and others, we got a confession out of him," Richmond said. Central Command, led by Army Gen. Tommy Franks, is responsible for U.S. security interests in the Middle East. It oversees the continuing military operation in Afghanistan and has been deeply involved in planning for a possible U.S. effort to topple Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The headquarters is part of MacDill Air Force Base. The suspect eventually will be turned over to his commanding officer, who will decide whether to pursue charges or other disciplinary action, Richmond said. - ISN is currently hosted by Attrition.org To unsubscribe email majordomoat_private with 'unsubscribe isn' in the BODY of the mail.
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