INDIANA COMPUTER STOLEN FROM SCHOOLNews - Post-Tribune (Northwest Indiana)
Teen accused of computer theft from school
Aug. 25, 2005

By John Grant Emeigh / Post-Tribune staff writer

VALPARAISO — A teenage employee is accused of stealing more than $1,000 worth of computer equipment from Union Center Elementary School in Union Township.

Porter County police said Wednesday the 17-year-old Valparaiso youth took the computer equipment while working as a general laborer at the school over the summer.

The teen was arrested on charges of felony theft and possession of marijuana.

The youth is accused of snatching a brand new IBM Thinkpad laptop valued at $999 and 15 laptop batteries, police Sgt. Tim Emmons said.

School Principal Cathy Polichronopoulos reported the missing computer on Aug. 10, two weeks after the school received the computer and stored it with other new computers. The principal also reported the theft of $40 in cash from the kitchen area and 15 laptop batteries.

On Friday, Patrolman Steven Rose interviewed several school employees who had access to the room with the computers during the summer and determined the 17-year-old was the suspect.

Rose searched the teen’s car and found a small box containing what police claim was marijuana residue. The investigator then searched the boy’s room at his home, with permission from his mother, and found suspected drug paraphernalia and a plastic baggy containing marijuana, the report said.

The officer also found five IBM laptop batteries and two cases of light bulbs that were reported missing from the school.

During questioning, Emmons said the boy admitted taking the laptop and other equipment from the school. The teen claimed he gave the laptop to an acquaintance to sell, Emmons said. It hasn’t been recovered.