A Beaver County contract worker who serviced Washington & Jefferson College is now facing criminal charges after investigators say he moved more than 120 college laptops through online listings, turning a locked campus storage room into his own alleged inventory pipeline.
Authorities allege 124 HP laptops that had been stored in a locked room at the college's TEK Center were later found to be missing. When staff conducted an inventory, only 46 devices turned up, leaving roughly $189,000 worth of equipment unaccounted for. The man identified by authorities is Donald Sanders of Beaver, a contract worker with Siemens, who now faces criminal charges in connection with the missing machines.
According to the criminal complaint and reporting by CBS Pittsburgh, the laptops were delivered to the TEK Center in September 2025 and kept in a secure storage room that required keycard access. School officials told police that 124 HP laptops were missing and that only 46 remained after the inventory; the college estimated the loss at about $189,000.
Listings Linked the Missing Machines to a Beaver Seller
Investigators say the trail from the TEK Center storage room to the internet was not especially subtle. Photos and serial numbers in online listings allegedly led them to an eBay account using the handle "bpco1888." One eBay listing for that seller displays a Beaver, Pennsylvania location and items such as smoke detectors and other hardware that the college also reported missing.
Investigation: Access and Alleged Sales
The criminal complaint reviewed by CBS Pittsburgh says school police worked with outside cyber-forensics partners to match serial numbers from the online listings to Washington & Jefferson College inventory. Documents obtained by the station indicate the eBay account linked to Sanders sold 123 of the 124 missing laptops. Investigators say Sanders also attempted to sell 65 smoke detectors that were not meant to be removed from campus.
Legal Outlook
Sanders has been charged with theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. The criminal case is pending in Washington County, and investigators say they are continuing to review related online sales and postings tied to the matter.
What This Means for Campus Security
Washington & Jefferson officials flagged the missing equipment to campus police and cooperated with investigators, according to the complaint. The case underscores the security risks that come with contractor access to locked storage spaces and highlights the value of tracking serial numbers when institutions audit technology assets.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Washington & Jefferson College Police or Washington County authorities. Investigators continue to urge the public to check online listings and report any suspected matches.
