GREENVILLE, N.C. — A longtime East Carolina University employee has been arrested and charged with stealing more than $200,000 worth of equipment from the university, which police say he later tried to sell online.
According to ECU campus police, 39-year-old Matthew Dickson, a Facilities Life Safety Technician, was taken into custody Tuesday on multiple felony charges.
Investigators say Dickson began stealing electrical components, including breakers, fuses, relays, and computers, as early as January 2023. He also allegedly stole HVAC parts valued at $78,000, as well as video board equipment and four audio mixer monitors.
In total, authorities estimate the value of the stolen property at approximately $215,000.
Campus police say they discovered Dickson had been listing and selling the stolen items on eBay. During the investigation, officers recovered most of the property.
Dickson faces charges of larceny by an employee and three counts of felony larceny. He was booked into the Pitt County Jail and later released on a $100,000 bond.
An ECU spokesperson confirmed that Dickson has been placed on investigatory leave with pay pending further review.
