Community Corner

Third Teen Arrested for Theft of Band Instruments from CHS

The theft of percussion instruments from the band room at Cheshire HIgh School took place over three days during the February school break.

A third teen was arrested this week and charged with the theft of band instruments worth up to $7,000 from the Cheshire High School Band room. 

Joseph Gonzalez, 18, of 884 Highland Ave., was arrested on Wednesday and charged with larceny in the third-degree from a building, conspiracy to commit larceny in the third-degree, burglary in the third-degree, and conspiracy to commit burglary in the third-degree.

Gonzales' Facebook page shows that he is a student at the high school, but it's not clear if he is a senior as is Olivia Raucci, 18, who was arrested on April 25 on the same charges.

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Lt. Tom Bobok said Friday that a 15-year-old was arrested along with Raucci on April 25, but the name isn't being released due to the suspect's age. That student attends the town's alternative high school at Humiston School.

Bobok said the stolen items were percussion instruments including a full drum set and some cymbals. The majority of the instruments were recovered from the house of one of the suspects, he said. One or two items were also found in the car trunk of Raucci, according to police.

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The students entered an unlocked door at the high school on three different days; February 18, 22 and 25, during the school break, Bobok said. "The staff recognized the instruments were gone" when school resumed, he said. 

Video surveillance tapes from the school helped police identify the suspects, Bobok said. None of the students were members of the band, he added.

Asked if the cymbals and other items were going to be sold for scrap metal, Bobok said that wasn't the case. "One (suspect) said it started as a senior prank," and escalated, he added.

Gonzalez' court date is set for May 4 in Meriden Superior Court. Raucci and the juvenile have already appeared in court. Records of their court appearances weren't immediately available.

School administrators didn't respond to a request for a comment.


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