2 Men Arrested in Theft of VA Computer
Two men were arrested in the theft of a laptop and hard drive containing sensitive data on up to 26.5 million veterans and military personnel, authorities said.
The government equipment was stolen May 3 during a burglary at the Maryland home of a Veterans Affairs Department employee.
The laptop and hard drive were turned in to the FBI June 28 by an unidentified person in response to a $50,000-reward offer. Arrested were Jesus Alex Pineda and Christian Brian Montano, both 19 and from Rockville, Md.
The theft was considered the most serious breach of government data. The equipment contained the names, Social Security numbers and birth dates of veterans discharged since 1975.
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