FROM: Jeffrey F. Rosen, District Attorney CONTACT PERSON:
Michael Sterner, D.A. Bureau of Investigations Lieutenant/REACT Director
(408) 282-2425 For release on April 13, 2011 FIVE ARRESTED AND CHARGED IN $37 MILLION COMPUTER-CHIP ROBBERY On February 27, 2011, a computer-chip robbery occurred at Unigen Inc, a Fremont company. The armed and masked perpetrators bound Unigen employees at gun point, and then forced them in a back room. Then, the robbers loaded $37 million worth of computer chips into a large truck and then left the scene. This was the largest chip robbery in Bay Area history. Since late February, the Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team (REACT) under the direction of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, has relentlessly pursued the perpetrators of this robbery, as well as the properties taken. Throughout the investigation, REACT received tremendous support from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. To date, five suspects have been identified, apprehended, and charged in this case. They are: Jesus Meraz Jr., 25, of San Jose; Dylan Catayas Lee, 32, of San Jose; Rolando McKay Secreto, 38, of San Jose; Leonard Abriam, 31, of San Jose; and Pierre Ramos, 28, of Union City. Furthermore, 98% of all the computer chips taken at the robbery have been recovered. The investigative team continues to gather information about this case. The defendants face up to life in prison if convicted of all charges, including arm robbery, kidnapping for robbery, and the excessive taking of property enhancement. Despite its work in this case, REACT faces severe funding challenges as the Vehicle Licensing Fee legislation, which funds REACT, is due to expire on June 30 of this year. Efforts are on going to extend the VLF. The District Attorney expresses deep gratitude to the California Attorney General’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fremont Police Department, ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, Mountain View Police Department, San Jose Police Department, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California for their instrumental support. Additionally, the District Attorney acknowledges the outstanding investigative efforts of Mountain View Police Officer/REACT Agent, Marshall Norton and Santa Clara County Sheriff Deputy/REACT Agent, Tim Crowley. ###
Michael Sterner, D.A. Bureau of Investigations Lieutenant/REACT Director
(408) 282-2425 For release on April 13, 2011 FIVE ARRESTED AND CHARGED IN $37 MILLION COMPUTER-CHIP ROBBERY On February 27, 2011, a computer-chip robbery occurred at Unigen Inc, a Fremont company. The armed and masked perpetrators bound Unigen employees at gun point, and then forced them in a back room. Then, the robbers loaded $37 million worth of computer chips into a large truck and then left the scene. This was the largest chip robbery in Bay Area history. Since late February, the Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team (REACT) under the direction of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, has relentlessly pursued the perpetrators of this robbery, as well as the properties taken. Throughout the investigation, REACT received tremendous support from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. To date, five suspects have been identified, apprehended, and charged in this case. They are: Jesus Meraz Jr., 25, of San Jose; Dylan Catayas Lee, 32, of San Jose; Rolando McKay Secreto, 38, of San Jose; Leonard Abriam, 31, of San Jose; and Pierre Ramos, 28, of Union City. Furthermore, 98% of all the computer chips taken at the robbery have been recovered. The investigative team continues to gather information about this case. The defendants face up to life in prison if convicted of all charges, including arm robbery, kidnapping for robbery, and the excessive taking of property enhancement. Despite its work in this case, REACT faces severe funding challenges as the Vehicle Licensing Fee legislation, which funds REACT, is due to expire on June 30 of this year. Efforts are on going to extend the VLF. The District Attorney expresses deep gratitude to the California Attorney General’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fremont Police Department, ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, Mountain View Police Department, San Jose Police Department, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California for their instrumental support. Additionally, the District Attorney acknowledges the outstanding investigative efforts of Mountain View Police Officer/REACT Agent, Marshall Norton and Santa Clara County Sheriff Deputy/REACT Agent, Tim Crowley. ###