NEW YORK COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM SCHOOLFather, son accused of school computer theft
Thursday, January 20, 2005

Father, son accused of school computer theft

By BRIAN P. HEFFRON

Times Staff Writer


MANCHESTER — A Red Jacket Central School custodian and his son have been arrested in connection with last spring’s theft of several laptop computers from the library there.

Ontario County sheriff’s deputies charged Luca S. Castrogiovanni, 20, of 10 South Ave., with third-degree burglary and third-degree grand larceny Wednesday. His father, Luke P. Castrogiovanni, 58, of the same address, was charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

Sheriff’s Investigator Dennis P. Crouch said the son entered the school the weekend of April 16 to 18, 2004, and stole six laptop computers, worth a total of $9,161.40. Crouch said there were no signs of forced entry, adding that Castrogiovanni may have had a key, propped a door open or used any of a number of other methods to enter the school.

“It’s unknown how he gained access. There were no identifiable signs of forced access at the time,” Crouch said.

Two months earlier — on Feb. 23, 2004 — school officials had reported the theft of another laptop computer, a portable stereo and other computer and electronic equipment. Crouch said the total value of those items was $6,478.

Although the younger Castrogiovanni has not been charged in February theft, his father is accused of moving all of the stolen property to another person’s home to hide it from authorities. Crouch said the Castrogiovannis were not using the equipment and that it did not appear to be damaged.

The son is a 2003 Red Jacket High School graduate.

Crouch said state police found the stolen property earlier this month while investigating an unrelated theft from the school; after conducting some interviews, they turned the case over to Crouch. The sheriff’s department is holding the computers and other property as evidence until the case is resolved. Once released, the property will go to the district’s insurer, unless the district’s claim hasn’t been settled.

School Superintendent Robert E. Leiby was unavailable for comment this morning.

Each man is being held at the Ontario County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.