Three Men Arrested for Embezzling County Computers

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Franconia Police District – Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau’s Criminal Investigation Division were notified in March of several thousand Fairfax County Public School laptops that were believed to be illegally reallocated. The laptops were stored at a warehouse in the 6800 block of Industrial Road in Springfield and were set to be auctioned. The laptops were surplus items that had been stripped of all data and hard drives in preparation for auction.   

Detectives identified a box truck registered to Attyah Computer Recycling, 44190 Waxpool Rd Ste 157, Ashburn, that arrived multiple occasions at the warehouse. The driver of the truck would not exit the vehicle nor provide the necessary paperwork required to receive auctioned goods. Laptops and computer parts would be loaded into the truck, and the driver would leave. Through the detective’s investigation, two warehouse employees were identified as facilitating the unlawful transactions.    

The morning of July 14, detectives were conducting surveillance at the warehouse and observed the truck arrive at the location. Detectives conducted a traffic stop and found stolen laptops in the vehicle. The driver, Fadi Atiyeh, 36, of Centreville, was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property and larceny with the intent to distribute. Detectives determined Atiyeh was employed by Attyah Computer Recycling. A search warrant was executed at the business, and additional evidence was recovered.   

Later that day, detectives arrested two warehouse employees, Franque Minor II, 35, of Maryland and Mario Jones Jr., 21, of Woodbridge. Both men were charged with embezzlement and larceny with the intent to distribute. Both men were also employed by Fairfax County Public Schools.  

Detectives continue to comb through a significant amount of evidence to determine the extent of the embezzlement. Preliminarily, detectives believe as many as 35,000 laptops were stolen with an estimated value of over $2 million. Detectives believe the offenses date back to November of 2020.  

Anyone with information about this embezzlement is asked to call detectives at 703-256-8035. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web – Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 dollars. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.    

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