Sisters youth arrested for computer crimes

Kenneth Avery Crain, 17, of Sisters, was arrested Friday, July 23, after he turned himself in to sheriff's deputies and admitted using a found debit card number to purchase about $9,000 worth of computer equipment and software over the Internet.

Crain allegedly found a carbon slip from a credit card transaction while riding his bicycle on Main Avenue by the Sisters Library on July 9. Crain told police that he copied the name, credit card number and expiration date on his hand then threw the slip in a trash can.

In a written statement to sheriff's deputies, Crain said he did not have any plan regarding the number at the time he wrote it down.

Three days later, late at night, Crain allegedly made several purchases of computer equipment and software over the Internet, using the debit card number.

Crain reportedly used the card several times between July 12 and July 19, making purchases totaling $9,039.66.

Crain contacted sheriff's deputies on July 20 and told them what he had done. A deputy who questioned the youth noted that Crain cooperated with the investigation. Deputies notified the victims of the theft and recovered items that were shipped to two addresses in Sisters.

Crain was taken into custody July 23 on felony charges of theft, fraudulent use of a credit card and computer crimes.

He was released from juvenile detention on Monday, July 26.