MASSACHUSETTS COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM SCHOOL TownOnline.com - Brookline TAB: Thefts up at BHS: "Thefts up at BHS
By Monica Deady/ Staff Writer
Thursday, March 9, 2006

The number of thefts at Brookline High School increased this year, but after police charged at least three students in connection with the incidents, they have dropped off.

Since June, 22 thefts were reported at Brookline High School, 115 Greenough St., and one was reported at 66 Tappan St., the gym in the Evelyn Kirrane Aquatics Center, according to police.

But police downplayed the incidents.

'When you put 1,800 teenagers in a one-block area for six hours a day, you're going to have thefts,' said Brookline Sergeant Detective Bill Riley.

Riley said that three students have been arrested or summonsed in connection with thefts.

'There were thefts,' said BHS Headmaster Bob Weintraub. 'We investigated them. We found out who did them. We're upset. It's unusual for kids at the school to do that because most kids here value the school...'

Weintraub said since a few individuals have been charged, the thefts have dropped off.

Over the summer, Riley said one male was charged with breaking and entering, larceny and receiving stolen property. That BHS student had reportedly taken a laptop computer and some other property from a school building, Riley said.

In the fall, a BHS female was summonsed and charged with receiving stolen property, as well.

Recently, another BHS male was summonsed to court and charged with receiving stolen property and breaking and entering. He allegedly stole thousands of dollars in school property, Riley said. He said police found more than $2,000 worth of stolen property in the student's bedroom at home, including overhead projectors and a teacher's personal computer.

Brookline Police Capt. John O'Leary said items being stolen from students have been iPods and cell phones, which are common items to carry around.

"A little thing like a cell phone or an iPod is easily taken by one of their own classmates," O'Leary said.

Riley said there can be a disconnect in the number of larceny incidents. While some are reported to the school security, others are reported to Brookline Police and some go unreported.

"I know that not everything gets reported," he said.

O'Leary said that students should guard their valuables if they bring them to school, be sure to secure lockers and perhaps even consider leaving valuables at home.

Monica Deady can be reached at mdeady@cnc.com."