Claudio Ponce Jr. was arrested Friday morning and charged with breaking and entering into the John H. Woodson Junior High School and removing electronic equipment, including laptop computers and a flat screen television.
Ponce, who is 45 year-old and lives in Estate Mon Bijou, was arrested by detectives from the Criminal Investigation Bureau based on a Superior Court arrest warrant at about 8:45 a.m. His bail was set at $50,000 and he was remanded to the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility pending further court action.
In their report, police said just before 8 a.m. Oct. 9 they were called to investigate a break-in at the Woodson School. Police found that the main office window was broken with a brick. School officials said four laptop computers, a flat screen television, a land radio, several computer cords and a projector were taken from the main office.
Police were able to review video surveillance of the break in and launched an investigation to identify the suspect.
Ponce was charged with third-degree burglary, unauthorized presence on school premises and destruction of property. Police have not retrieved the stolen items, the report said.
St. Croix Police Chief James Parris said he and his officers will not tolerate individuals disrupting the education of children in the community by taking the equipment they need for learning.
“The education of our children is vital to the success of his community. Anyone who illegally interrupts this process will be caught and turned over to the justice system” Parris said.
