Austin tech worker charged with stealing, pawning equipment
Posted: August 29, 2015
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -
A city technology worker in Austin has been accused of stealing and pawning nearly $177,000 worth of computer and audio items.
Travis County jail records show 52-year-old Gilberto Valenzuela was being held Saturday on a charge of theft by a public servant. Investigators believe more than 60 high-tech items belonging to the city were stolen and pawned.
An Austin police detective monitoring pawn shop transactions noticed Valenzuela was paid more than $100,000. More than 30 pieces of computer and audio equipment were pawned since July.
An affidavit says some pawned items matched serial numbers of equipment missing from the Austin Convention Center and the Palmer Events Center.
Online jail records do not list an attorney to speak for Valenzuela, who resigned Aug. 14 and was arrested Thursday.