The Wellesley Police Department has announced the arrest of a Wellesley Middle School custodian in the recent string of technology equipment and student jewelry project/materials thefts.

Gino Lister of Holliston was arrested Wednesday and is being charged with larceny over $250, receiving stolen property over $250 and on 2 counts of receiving stolen property under $250.

Detective Christopher Connelly was the lead investigator into the theft of Apple Macbooks and iPads, other electronic equipment, plus silver and silver jewelry made by students. Ten of the stolen Apple products have been recovered so far from parties who appear to have been unaware of where the items originated and no charges have been brought against these people. Others who know Lister were said to have sold the items, and police continue to search for other stolen items.

There was no forced entry into any of the locked classrooms or locked storage cabinets where the thefts occurred, except on one occasion, according to police. Lister had access to the building, classrooms and cabinets, according to the police report.

The thefts outraged parents, who expressed their frustration to school officials. Superintendent Bella Wong responded to the concerns recently, noting that some details of the situation needed to be kept under wraps during the investigation.

Wong wrote to parents on Thursday regarding the arrest and said in part: “I share with you a tremendous relief to have this part of the matter come to an apparent close. At the same time, we still need to come to terms that the suspected instigator was one who worked among us. We need to allow ourselves time to process and resolve feelings of betrayal and loss that may linger. To support this process and rebuild our sense of security, we will continue our increased level of securing items of value and remain proactive in assessing further improvements.”

WMS principal Jamie Chisum plans to address the issue with students on Friday.

How did $20K worth of Apple & other tech gear go missing from Wellesley Middle School?

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