A 45-year-old Corona man employed as a janitor at this year’s U.S. Open has been charged with stealing two laptop computers from inside the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center earlier this week.
A search warrant executed Friday night at his residence resulted in the alleged seizure of three other laptops reported stolen during last year’s U.S. Open, as well as a loaded handgun, ammunition, and cocaine, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said Saturday.
Kenneth O’Quinn, of Corona, was scheduled to be arraigned on charges of fourth-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, unlawful possession of marijuana, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, among other infractions. It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney.
If convicted, O’Quinn faces up to fifteen years in prison.
He worked as a janitor for Integatas Building Services at this year’s and last year’s U.S. Open.
Brown said that, according to the criminal charges, two laptops were reported stolen overnight at the U.S. Open. It is alleged that surveillance footage taken at the SmashZone –- an interactive fan attraction at the U.S. Open – shows O’Quinn entering the location and then leaving, concealing a backpack under his jacket.
Questioned by police, O’Quinn allegedly made statements in which he admitted that he took the two laptops and that they were inside his apartment.
A search warrant executed on O’Quinn’s residence resulted in the recovery of a loaded silver 9mm pistol, 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition, more than a half ounce of crack cocaine, a quantity of marijuana and five laptops – the two that had been reported stolen at this year’s U.S. Open and three that were stolen during last year’s event.
“The U.S. Open Tennis Championships is a prestigious international sporting event that draws people from all over the world and has a significant impact on our local economy," Brown said. "As in years past, my office – working with police and U.S. Open security personnel – maintains a continuous presence at the two-week tournament to clamp down on any illegal and inappropriate actions – such as theft.”
