Stolen thumb drive recovered, teenage suspect arrested

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Milwaukee Police Department has arrested a 17-year-old male for his role in the theft of a thumb drive containing the personal information of thousands of City of Milwaukee employees and their spouses.

The thumb drive, a laptop computer, and a computer bag were stolen when a Dynacare Laboratories employee’s car was stolen on October 22nd.  The vehicle and laptop were recovered on November 10th and MPD was first made aware the thumb drive was in the stolen vehicle on November 15th, 24 days after the theft.

Officers recovered the stolen thumb drive and computer bag from a residence near 20th and Stark on January 6th while investigating violent felony crimes.  A search warrant was obtained prior to MPD’s forensic analysis of the thumb drive.  While additional forensic analysis is ongoing, there is no evidence at this time that the data contained on the thumb drive was accessed.

"Forensic testing, at this time, does not show that this drive has been used during this period, which would be very, very good news for everyone involved," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. "This does not absolve Dynacare, in my mind, of the mistakes it made or the cooperation, or lack of cooperation, with Dynacare."



Common Council President Willie L. Hines, Jr. and Alderman Michael J. Murphy joined Mayor Barrett and Chief Flynn in expressing their gratitude and relief.

The suspect is facing charges of receiving stolen property and felony bail jumping.  He is a habitual auto thief. FOX6 News has learned the identity of the suspect, but because he has not been charged yet, we are not naming him.

An investigation continues into how the thumb drive came into his possession.  The case will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office in the coming days.

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