THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 19, 1996 TAG: 9608190060
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: 47 lines
Air Force investigators have found thousands of dollars' worth of government-owned tools, computers, pistol ammunition and other goods stolen from Langley Air Force Base, according to a search warrant.
The goods were found at the Newport News home of Carl Hunt - who works in Langley's base supply department - and at R&S Military Surplus, a Gloucester store that police say was burned down by an arsonist two days after it was searched, said the warrant filed by Air Force investigators.
Hunt has not been formally charged and is back on his job pending completion of the investigation, according to 1st Lt. Patricia Lang, a Langley spokeswoman.
Once the inquiry is completed, Air Force legal officials will decide whether to seek a federal indictment against Hunt.
Air Force investigators allege that Hunt has stolen more than $20,000 worth of goods from the base over an undisclosed period of time. They wouldn't say whether Hunt had admitted committing the thefts, but they did say they have no other suspects. Hunt has refused to provide a statement, Lang said.
The items seized at Hunt's residence during the June 21 search included a potpourri of government property, ranging from large amounts of ``Snap-on'' brand tools to 75 rounds of 9mm ball ammunition to items with little apparent resale value.
Accused of deliberately setting fire to R&S Military Surplus is William T. Hudgins Jr., 46, of Newport News. Newport News police arrested Hudgins on June 9 and released him on $5,000 bond. A Gloucester County grand jury will convene Sept. 3 to decide whether to indict Hudgins, a court official said.
The items confiscated at R&S Military Surplus before the fire included two computer systems marked as Langley Air Force Base property and various articles of clothing.
The searches of Hunt's residence and R&S followed a May 22 tip passed to Lt. Brown Strigle of the Gloucester sheriff's office, according to the search warrant. The tipster told Strigle that he'd been purchasing goods from Hunt, whom he knew to be an employee at Langley. The goods included camouflage field jackets, tools, computers and military-style gear such as compasses, knives, and other tools.
Hunt, according to the warrant, gave the informant the opportunity to buy military and government property several times a week over an unspecified period of time. The informant also claimed to have bought goods at Hunt's house. by CNB