SALEM TOWNSHIP – Deputies are investigating a break-in at Mount Abram High School either Thursday evening or early Friday.

Somebody forced their way in a back door of the school and broke windows in doors in the administrative and counselor’s offices to get in, Franklin County Sheriff’s Detective David St. Laurent said.

High school administrators are offering a “substantial” reward leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person who did it, he said.

High School Principal Jeanne Tucker said she was told the windows broken in the commercial steel doors are estimated to cost $1,500.

St. Laurent said the report came in at 6:30 a.m. when an employee arrived for work, he said.

St. Laurent, Cpl. Stephen Charles and Deputy Sandy Burke responded to the break-in and met with SAD 58 administrators.

In the administrative office, cabinets and drawers were rummaged through, St. Laurent said.

Then somebody smashed another window in a door to the school counselor’s office and and entered it and rummaged through the drawers and cabinets, he said.

“At this time, it appears nothing was taken,” St. Laurent said.

He said the break-in wasn’t for revenge or to steal because it doesn’t appear that any of the equipment such as computers or printers were taken.

Though, he said, it is unknown what the subject was looking for, it appears the motive was possibly paperwork.

Physical evidence was gathered at the scene, he said, to be sent to the state criminal laboratory.

Tucker said a secretary reported the break-in after she found a window broken out of door in the alcove leading to the administrative offices.

“No equipment was stolen that we can see,” she said. “At this point we’re waiting for two people to come in to see if anything is missing” from their offices.

The two were away and wouldn’t be back until Monday, she said.

Anyone with information is asked to phone Charles or St. Laurent at 778-2680 or the school at 678-2701, ext. 105.

Copy the Story Link