Man held for USF campus thefts

A man wanted for stealing radios from the Sun Dome later admitted to police that he had stolen something potentially vital to the success of the USF Women’s basketball team.

It wasn’t their uniforms or equipment, but four laptop computers with important sports editing software used by the team.

Working off a warrant obtained by UP, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Nelson R. Martino on Sept. 24. He is being held at the Falkenburg Road Jail on counts of burglary, grand theft and dealing in stolen property, with bail set at $14,500.

Shortly after Martino’s arrest, Tampa Police Detective J.D. O’Nolan interviewed him for a separate burglary investigation, during which Martino confessed to stealing four Apple laptops from the Sun Dome.

The computers have not yet been recovered, according to UP, and they may still have the sports editing software for the USF women’s basketball team installed on them.

UP is asking anyone with information about the computers to call (813) 974-2628.

Christine Gibson can be reached at (813) 974-6299 or oraclegibson@gmail.com.