A Columbia Borough police sergeant did not break the law when he removed a computer from the police station, even though it ended up in the hands of a computer shop owner, according to the Lancaster County district attorney's office.

Lancaster County detectives spent five weeks looking into Sgt. William L. Meyers' taking of the computer, which contained autopsy photos and other sensitive materials, Chief County Detective Michael L. Landis said in a statement Wednesday.

The computer eventually came into the possession of a tenant of a property owned by Meyers. That person then traded it for another computer at The Computer Outlet in Columbia.

As second-in-command of Columbia Borough Police Department, Meyers was permitted to take the computer, according to Landis' statement.

"The office of the district attorney considers this matter closed," Landis said.

The computer contained photos of crime scenes, autopsies and fatal car crashes, according to an earlier news report.

In his statement Landis also said investigators discovered nothing on the computer "that could compromise the security of other computer systems or investigations."

Columbia police Chief Joseph Greenya and Meyers were not available for comment Wednesday night.

The district attorney's investigation started Jan. 31 when Jesse Sweigart, employee of The Computer Outlet, turned the computer over to investigators. The Computer Outlet is owned by Silvia Fontanez.

According to Landis' statement, Sweigart obtained the computer from Meyers' tenant, who received it at an unknown time from Meyers' "girlfriend," who mistakenly thought Meyers was no longer using it.

Meyers took the computer from the police station in July 2006 after it was replaced by newer models, including some donated by Meyers, Landis said.

Meyers told investigators he wanted to "review the contents of the computer (at home) and remove and transfer relevant files at his leisure," according to Landis.

Landis said it was unlikely Meyers took the computer for his own use because he "owns a personal computer that is newer and superior in quality.

"Thus there was little motive for Sgt. Meyers to take the computer for his own personal benefit."

Any further action on the matter is left to Columbia Borough and its solicitor, Landis said.

E-mail Dave Pidgeon at dpidgeon@lnpnews.com.