News

May 22, 2008

Cops: Security guard admits to stealing money from Vo-Tech

John Paul Lamoreaux, 20, of W-B, faces four charges for allegedly taking over $1,500.

By Ed Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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PLAINS TWP. – A security guard with Century Security Services disconnected surveillance cameras inside Wilkes-Barre Vocational-Technical School before breaking into offices and stealing more than $1,500, township police said.

John Paul Lamoreaux, 20, of New Grove Street, Wilkes-Barre, admitted to the thefts when he was interviewed by investigating Officer Robert Kelly, according to arrest records.

Lamoreaux forced open doors and climbed through a ceiling to reach offices on May 10 when he stole the money, police said.

He surrendered at the office of Magisterial District Judge Diana Malast in Plains Township, where he was charged with burglary, theft, criminal trespass and criminal mischief. He was released on $5,000 unsecured bail.

Police said Lamoreaux has been employed with Century Security Services, based in Wilkes-Barre Township, for about two years. A Century Security dispatcher said there was no one available to comment about Lamoreaux.

Police said Lamoreaux, through Century Security, provided security at the school on Jumper Road at least three times in the past. He was filling in for another Century Security guard when the alleged thefts occurred, police said.

According to the criminal complaint filed:

School employees notified police on May 12 that someone had rummaged through filing cabinets and desks in the business office, a guidance counselor’s office and the cafeteria office.

Police said a vent in the door to the business office was forced open, and that entry was made to the guidance counselor’s office by climbing through the ceiling. A ceiling tile was out-of-place and dust covered a large cabinet outside the guidance counselor’s office, police said.

Police said an envelope with $1,592 was taken from a locked cabinet in the business office, and $49 was taken from the cafeteria office. No items were reported missing from the guidance office, police said.

Police said a surveillance camera near the cafeteria was disconnected.

Footage from the camera showed a security guard, identified as Lamoreaux, walking past the cafeteria three times within an hour on May 10, each time he looked at the camera.

A few minutes after Lamoreaux walked past the camera at about 9:45 p.m., the camera was disconnected, the criminal complaint says.

Lamoreaux admitted to police, the criminal complaint says, that he forced open a door to the cafeteria office with a knife, and taking money from two cash register drawers that were locked in a cabinet. He also disconnected a camera near the culinary arts department before breaking into an office.

Police said no items were reported missing from the culinary arts office.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 30 in Central Court.

Edward Lewis, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7196.

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