Fresno Leader

A sheriff's deputy in California has made a significant discovery, recovering stolen computer equipment valued at $5 million. The incident took place on February 28th when the deputy conducted a vehicle stop on a 2013 Nissan van on Interstate 5 near the Highway 33 turnoff. The driver of the van, identified as 49-year-old Manuel Romero Acosta, raised suspicions leading to a search of the vehicle.

Upon searching the van, the deputy found numerous boxes of new computer components. Uncertain if the items were stolen, the van was towed to a storage facility while the investigation continued. Acosta, who was unlicensed, was issued a traffic citation at the time. Subsequent actions were taken on March 5th when a search warrant confirmed that the computer components were indeed stolen from the San Francisco Port Authority. The owner estimated the worth of the memory devices and data storage servers at $5.1 million.

Following these developments, an arrest warrant has been issued for Manuel Romero Acosta of Burbank. The case is currently under investigation, with authorities urging anyone with additional information to come forward. The Sheriff’s Office can be contacted at (559) 600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867. Those providing information may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward by referencing case #24-2445.