Kidnapping ordeal for laptop distributor

The financial director of a Hampshire-based PC and server distributor was subjected to a kidnapping late Wednesday night in a raid that netted thieves around £300,000 worth of computer equipment.

IT Industries of Alton, Hampshire, sells excess and end of life inventory and the robbery involved notebook PCs and TFT monitors from brand names including Compaq, IBM, Sony and Toshiba, as well as generic 'barebones' machines.

A statement from IT Industries to around 5,000 customers and business partners, forwarded to silicon.com from several sources, said: "The AGGRAVATED BURGLARY also includes the KIDNAPPING of our female Group Finance Director from her home address who, under duress, was forced to return to our business premises and made to comply with the wishes of the assailants."

IT Industries MD Conrad Mohr told silicon.com: "She wasn't harmed but she's shaken."

He also sought to assure all that his company was fully insured and remains solvent, with a healthy amount of cash in the bank and paid-for assets. The thieves took around three hours to load stock onto two lorries using a forklift truck.

In recent years, targeted theft of high-value - and easy to transport - chips in PCs and servers has become increasingly common, though it is not thought the criminals in this case knew exactly what stock IT Industries was holding. The distributor is part of a group including Pyramid Ltd, mainly dealing with HP 'renewed' products, corporate reseller Servercentric and Disposé.

Nearby Surrey Police are now investigating the case, which they have called Operation Dolphin. They are appealing for anyone who saw a white van in Weyside Road, Guildford - where the 30-year-old FD lives - on the night of the incident to contact the Major Incident Room at Guildford police station on 01483 653930.

IT Industries MD Mohr also said anyone with any leads can contact him at cmohr@ it-industries.com .

The company will be on the look out for certain products - in addition to specific serial numbers - which it believes were only in its possession. All warranties on any goods have already been invalidated by the vendors.

On the subject of the rapid response to the robbery by email, Mohr added: "I just don't want this to happen to other people."

The email ends asking for companies to make their staff aware stolen goods will be available on the market and to make sure staff are vigilant and to consider "this crime could have been targeted at YOU and that YOU should immediately increase your levels of business and personal security".