OTHER NEWS - Nov. 4, 1993

FBI Investigates Computer Chip Theft: Masked, armed robbers who stole $2 million worth of computer chips from an Oki Semiconductor plant have sent shudders through high-tech companies and touched off a nationwide investigation. FBI agents were looking into the possibility that the weekend robbery in Tualatin, Ore., a suburb of Portland, might be connected to similar armed robberies in California and Florida, Special Agent Bart Gori said. Meanwhile, other chip makers in the area were increasing security, said Tualatin police Lt. Bruce Bass. Gori said the robbery is believed to be the largest armed theft of computer chips in U.S. history. Other chip heists have occurred in the San Francisco area and near Tampa, Fla., he said. The Oki plant is owned by Oki Electric Industry Co. of Japan.