11/15/09 – Norman, OK — A business student at the University of Oklahoma is accused of conducting a little illegal business with a fellow students’ laptop. Fortunately the laptop in question virtually turned itself in to the police.

According to OUPD, in late September an Apple MacBook Pro laptop, valued at $2,000, was stolen from a vehicle parked in the Traditions East Apartments in Norman.

In October the University’s IT department was alerted that the stolen computer’s  “MAC” address was logged onto the OU computer network. Authorities quickly located the computer and spoke to the student who was operating it. The student advised authorities he had purchased the laptop for $400 (what a deal) from another student, Michael Amule Murphy, 20, of Norman. The students’ story was cerified through a canceled check he had written Murphy.

Investigators left voicemail messages for Murphy that were later returned by his attorney. According to police Murphy’s attorney told them that Murphy admitted to him to stealing the laptop.

A larceny charge was filed against Murphy in Cleveland County last week.

University of Oklahoma records show that Murphy is a sophomore and a ’student employee’ in the Price College Of Business.

In a twist of irony, Murphy’s OU Web site is entitled, “Adversity smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back.” (OKRA News Blog wonders if Murphy is smiling now?)

Murphy’s site goes on to state…

My name is Michael A. Murphy, and I am a sophomore at the University of Oklahoma majoring in Finance and Management Information Systems.
I was born and raised in the wonderful city of Houston, Texas. I am the product of a very close and supportive family. I have the best parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles,brothers, sisters and cousins in the world. All of these people made me the great person I am today and all I want to do is give them what they have given me to succeed.
I love riding horses and calf roping, playing football and occasionally basketball, hanging out with my family,and trying to get paid. I plan to attend law school and have great aspirations to take on a powerful positions when I graduate and eventually become a CEO. I want to travel around the workld and do great things for myself and those who are around me.

We wish Murphy well, just don’t ask to borrow our laptop.

11/10/09 – Norman, OK — According to court records, Joshua Terell Walckhoff, 18, was arrested November 5 in Norman after he admitted to knowingly concealing and pawning stolen property after presenting it as his own.

On September 11 a University of Oklahoma student reported the theft of their Canon PowerShot digital camera worth about $200.

Walckhoff admitted he had the camera in his OU dorm room until he went to the EZ Pawn on W. Main and signed a pawn ticket claiming the camera was his and that he had owned it for the last two months.

When confronted by police Walckhoff reportedly admitted an associate of his stole the camera and that he knew it was stolen when he pawned it.

On November 6 prosecutors in Cleveland County filed two felony charges against Walckhoff for concealing stolen property and making a false declaration of ownership to a pawn broker.

Walckhoff was released from jail on a $1,000 bond.

Walckhoff is listed as a freshman on the University of Oklahoma website.

11/9/09 – Norman, OK — A University of Oklahoma freshman faces felony charges that he stole another students backpack and laptop from a campus Burger King.

According to court records, Martaize K. Fails, 18, was in the Burger King located inside the Adams Dormitory on October 30 when he absconded with another students backpack containing a Dell laptop and misc. items totaling just over $1,700.

Fails might have gotten away with it too if it wasn’t for those pesky little security cameras that recorded his every thieving move.

Police say when they contacted Fails he refused to return the stolen loot and was arrested.

On November 2 felony charges were filed against Fails.

According to the OU website, Fails is listed as a freshman.

An Internet search shows Fails played high school football at Capitol Hill High School.

7/12/07 — Norman, OK – According to court records, University of Oklahoma freshman, Heather Kay Orr, 20, was charged with felony embezzlement June 25th in Cleveland County.

Allegedly, on March 3rd, Orr was working at Dowell Properties as a leasing agent when she failed to report/deposit a cash rent payment of $570.

When questioned by police, Orr “appeared to be upset and close to tears.”

Before digging her hole any deeper, Orr took a tip from all those C.S.I shows and requested an attorney.

OU’s online directory did not indicate if Orr was majoring in finance – lets hope not.

Update: The case was dismissed with costs on 3/10/09.

5/21/07 — Norman, OK – According to court records, Nicholas Anthony Palmisano, 25, was making himself at home in the kitchen when police were summoned. Why? Seems Palmisano was not in his own kitchen. As a matter of fact, the woman living in the home told police she doesn’t even know Palmisano.

Reportedly, on the night of May 13th, Palmisano entered a partially opened garage door in the 1100 block of Caracara Dr. in Norman. Once inside, the resident saw Palmisano in her kitchen and called police.

When police arrived, they found Palmisano laying on the floor in the living room.

Palmisano appeared to be intoxicated and was placed under arrest.

On the 15th Palmisano was charged with entering a building with unlawful intent.

The University of Oklahoma (OU) identifies Palmisano as a senior in the Price College of Business.

Court papers and OU list Palmisano’s residence as the 200 block of East 31st in Edmond.

UPDATE: On 6/14/07 Palmisano pled guilty and was given 10-month deferred.

5/7/07 — Norman, OK – A University of Oklahoma student is captured by passersby, arrested and charged with a felony after allegedly stealing U.S. mail.

According to court records, Michael Eliot King, 26, was playing his own version of ‘post office’ in the 800 block of Fairway Drive on May 1st.

Witnesses in the area claim they saw King open a mailbox and “take 15-20 pieces of mail” (man, we thought we got alot of junk mail). King then allegedly placed the ill-gotten mail under his jacket and tried to leave the area. Unfortunately for King, the witnesses had other ideas and “pursued and apprehended” King and called police.

When police arrived they found the mail and glass pipe in King’s jacket.

The next day, King was charged with felony burglary and receiving stolen property.

King was released after posting a $10,000 bond.

King’s next court appearance is set for May 15th.

According to the University of Oklahoma Web site, King is listed as a freshman and resides in the 800 block of Cardan Place in Moore.

Update: King was convicted and sentenced to 7-years with 5-years suspended.