2 dozen thefts from lockers last year at Sylvania schools

Friends taking from friends. That’s how police assess the thefts of valuable items from school lockers in Sylvania.

Sylvania schools had 22 thefts from the buildings last year, 19 from Southview High School alone, police said. Two were from Northview High and one was from McCord Junior High reported one theft. Last week, three thefts were reported at Southview and one at McCord.

Mostly taken are cell phones, iPhones, and wallets.

“These are not your traditional criminals,” said Capt. Rick Schnoor with the Sylvania Police Department. “They usually occur between friends of friends. It’s usually a student taking something that they want, like an iPod or a cell phone.”

Dave McMurray, Southview’s principal, said, “These thefts occur when students leave items unattended.”

Discipline is handled on a case-by-case basis, he said.

“We have our own discipline code and work with Sylvania police,” he added. “The students get dual consequences.”

The Sylvania police refer first-time offenders to the Sylvania Youth Diversion program, which is operated by the Sylvania Area Family Services center.

The offenders go to meetings at the center with their parents, they volunteer their time, follow a curfew, and have grade requirements, which is monitored by the school and the center. If the student completes the designated assignment, the police do not press charges, Mr. Schnoor said.

“This program has been very successful,” he said.

But if the student has multiple offenses, the police file charges with the Lucas County Juvenile Court. A majority of the crimes are classified as misdemeanors or non-violent felonies, the police captain explained.

At Southview last week, one student said her wallet was taken from her unlocked locker and another student said her cell phone went missing during the school day. Police are still investigating both cases. The better known theft last week from Southview was a bag taken from a basketball official’s unlocked locker during a girls game. The bag had a gun, cash, and credit cards in it and it has not bee recovered and the case is under investigation.

Asked about preventative measures, Mr. McMurray said, “We have tight security during our regular school day.”

Doors are locked to outsiders after students arrive at all Sylvania schools and visitors are required to check in at the office.

Schools are open to the public during sports and other events but a Sylvania police officer is hired for security.

Contact Ashley Streichert at astreichert@theblade.com or 419-206-0356.