In eBay case, police to seek informal resolution

ROGERS -- Police have decided not to file formal charges against a 13-year-old Beaver Local Middle School pupil who is accused of charging around $2 million to someone else's eBay account.
Sgt. Ken Biacco of the Columbiana County Sheriff's Department said today that police will pursue an informal resolution to the matter, which could include house arrest, curfew and some observational exposure to the criminal justice system.
Biacco said the teen-ager also probably would have to write a letter of apology to the victim, who was a friend's mother.
On May 24, the boy used the woman's eBay account number and a school computer to ring up the purchases, which included a $1.1 million helicopter and a $199,000 jet. The victim discovered the purchases later in the day, when the helicopter's owner called to ask how she would pay for it.
Biacco hasn't yet met with the boy to work out an agreement, but said both he and his parents must consent before police can proceed.
"They usually agree," Biacco said. "It's much better than going to court. If we do it informally, there's no court record."
Biacco said a deputy sheriff canceled the purchases, and the victim was not forced to pay them.
He added that it was the boy's first offense. He said if the teen violates the informal agreement by breaking curfew or ignoring house arrest, for example, charges would be filed for the original crime.