WEST WINDSOR: Rash of phone, computer thefts at high school

By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
   WEST WINDSOR — A string of burglaries this week has so far cost six students more than $2,000 in reported stolen electronic devices at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North.
   An array of cell phones and Apple products such as iPod Touches have been reported stolen almost every day this week. From Galaxy S3s and iPhone 5s to iPads, students have found their devices missing at various periods during the day with multiple reports occurring on the same day.
   The latest incident happened on March 21, when someone reported his or her $600 white iPhone 5 had been stolen from the girls’ locker room sometime between 7:40 a.m. and 8:40 a.m.
   Lt. James Curry said the department has noticed the continuing thefts, but that it wasn’t something unusual.
   ”It’s a common problem in high schools in general,” said Lt. Curry. “But we take this very seriously — kids need to learn how to respect each other’s property.”
   The most thefts occurred on March 18, when three students all reported their property had been stolen sometime during the afternoon. Two of the items were cell phones valued at $300 and the other was an iPod Touch worth about $199. The thefts appeared to almost have happened in succession: one phone was taken sometime between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., the other was taken sometime between 3:10 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and the iPod was taken sometime between 3 p.m. and 5:10 p.m., according to police reports.
   However, the thefts reached a financial peak on March 19, when about $920 worth of items were reported stolen. One student reported a $500 iPhone 5 was taken from the girls’ locker room sometime between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Another student reported his or her black mini iPad, worth about $420 was stolen sometime between 7:40 a.m. and 8:40 a.m.
   ”These phones are expensive — periodically, we try to educate kids the importance of securing their phones as well as the parents because they’re usually the ones footing the bill.”
   The investigation of the thefts is ongoing, but Lt. Curry declined to comment on any of the suspects. However, he said in cases like this, the police usually catch the culprit.
   ”The Juvenile Detective Bureau is very active and successful in these things,” said Lt. Curry. “Statistically, incidents of theft or any type of offense committed by a juvenile are easier to solve.”
   If a juvenile(s) is caught, it is likely that they won’t be arrested. Lt. Curry said typically in these cases, they first discuss the offenses with the county prosecutor’s office. Then a contract is signed by the police, the juvenile and his or her parents in lieu of formal charges.
   ”As long as that contract is fulfilled, then the charges are not filed,” said Lt. Curry.