Tuesday, 17 March 2009 - 3:20pm |
National News

Truant students arrested for second time

1 min read

Arrest appears to offer little deterrent to truant students intent on breaking into other people's homes.

Earlier this month seven Fairfield College students were arrested for receiving stolen goods after two others burgled a Wymer Tce home.

Amongst property recovered was a bottle of wine valued at $600.

Acting Sergeant Craig Berquist of the North Hamilton Police said this morning four of that group were found to have broken into another home while skipping class.

"It appears they've used the same M/O, leaving school via Donny Park and gaining entry to the property from there.

"While four students have been arrested we're looking for another two as well with the age spread of those involved being 14-16."

While it is of concern that students are involved in offending of such a serious nature

Mr Berquist said there were some positives to come out of ecent events.

"Today's arrests resulted from neighbours noticing something was amiss and immediately contacting Police enabling a prompt response by us.

"During the earlier incident the students were identified by Fairfield Community Constables during their truancy patrols, so the methods put in place to deter truancy are working."

It appears it wasn't just during school hours the truant students had been busy.

"In addition to today's burglary two of the group have confessed their involvement in the burglary of a Conway Pl home on Friday night."

Police are working with both the school and Ministry of Education to find a solution to the current problem, meanwhile all four students have been referred to the Hamilton Youth Aid Section for follow up action.

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