IT Man Stole $500K In Computers From Delco Employer: DA

MEDIA, PA — A Philadelphia man has been accused by Delaware County authorities of stealing more than $500,000 worth of computers from his employer.

According to Delaware County District Katayoun Copeland, Richard D. Webb, Jr., 54, was arrested on June 13 and charged with theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, receiving stolen property, and criminal use of a communication facility, all felonies of the second degree.

Webb, a Philadelphia IT man, is accused of stealing computers valued at more than $500,000 from his employer, Thompson Reuters, and thereafter sold the computers on an internet platform, the DA's office said.

Webb was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Deborah A. Krull who set bail at $200,000 cash. The preliminary hearing is listed for July 1.

The arrest comes at the conclusion of an investigation conducted by Detective Michele Deery of the District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Economic Crime Unit which began on May 30, 2019.

Webb was employed by Thompson Reuters, an electronic information and solutions company in Media, in their Information Technology Department.

On May 30, CID Detective Michele Deery and Sergeant Anthony Ruggieri met with the security supervisor for Thompson Reuters who reported that Webb ordered 614 computers that were delivered to their Media office.

An audit of the premises revealed that 537 of these computers were missing, the DA's office said.

The investigation revealed Webb ordered these computers, claiming they were for the IT department, and arranged for them to be shipped to the Media office location, according to the DA's.

Law enforcement discovered that when the computers were delivered, Webb accepted deliveries of the same and take the computers to his home in Philadelphia, where he would sell the same, the DA's office alleges.

Webb sold at least some computers on Platzo.com, for $500 each, according to the DA's office.

Each one of the computers are valued at between $800 to $1200, resulting in a total theft of over $500,000.