MASSACHUSETTS FOLLOW UP INFORMATION ON COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM SCHOOL DailyNewsTribune.com - Local / Regional News: Two students charged in weekend school theft

Two students charged in weekend school theft
By Jennifer Roy / Daily News StaffThursday, April 13, 2006

NEWTON -- Two Newton North High School students charged with stealing four LCD projectors from classrooms over the weekend have police wondering if the teens are connected to thefts that have plagued the district for years.

The 16-year-old students were arrested at school on Tuesday afternoon and charged with breaking and entering into a depository, possession of tools used in a burglary and larceny over $250, Lt. Bruce Apotheker said.

The teens’ names were not released because of their ages.

Apotheker would not comment on what led police to the students.

He said police are investigating whether the students are involved in a spate of thefts at the school over the last three years.

Several desktop and laptop computers, monitors, projectors, computer memory chips and other expensive equipment have been stolen from locked classrooms at the school since Officer Dave Spirito began investigating in March 2003.

In January, Spirito said officials were "banging their heads against a wall," because they did not know who was behind the thefts.

He has said the thief or thieves seem to have master keys to the school.

"It’s frustrating," Spirito has said. "There are no signs of forced entry."

Jennifer Roy is a Daily News staff writer. She can be reached at 781-398-8005 or jroy@cnc.com.