ECHS burglary suspect arrested

Published 11:36 pm Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Investigator Scott Walden of the Atmore Police Department inspects a vending machine that was busted into during the break-in at Escambia County High School on Saturday night.|Photo by Chandler Myers

An Atmore man is behind bars today after investigators with the Atmore Police Department identified him as the lone vandal that broke into Escambia County High School twice last weekend.

Officers arrested 40-year-old Michael Lafrance Williams earlier this week and charged him with two counts of third-degree burglary.

The break-ins were first discovered last Sunday afternoon by ECHS Principal Zickeyous Byrd who found shattered glass from vending machines in the main lobby of the school and filing cabinets in several offices that had been rummaged through. A second break-in was discovered Monday morning after windows in the cafeteria were discovered broken.

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Byrd said he was pleased with the quick work of the officers investigating the case.

“We are so thankful for the quick response of the Atmore Police Department,” he said. “Whenever we called, they were right there taking fingerprints and assuring us that they would find the person that did it. The next day they were there to share information. They were wonderful and we appreciate everything they do.”

In each burglary, it appears Williams was looking for money. It is believed that he got away with an undetermined amount of cash from the vending machines in the old gymnasium during the first burglary and nothing as a result of the second break-in.

“From what we noticed, they took the cash out of the vending machines, which is the school’s own source of revenue to purchase things,” Byrd said Sunday evening. “They broke into the counselor’s office and went through a couple of files as well as the attendance office’s files. They also broke into a safe, but we don’t keep money in things such as that. It appears that someone was just being devious and trying to cause trouble for us.”

Many schools are experiencing deep cuts in funding and often count of extra income from vending machine sales or other fundraising events to help defray costs for needed materials at the schools. The loss of funds from those vending machines may cause a temporary loss of materials, supplies or other items used around the school for the benefit of the students.

Byrd said no leniency would be offered to anyone trespassing or burglarizing on school grounds.

“The school will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law anyone and everyone who tries to take anything away from our school or our students,” Byrd said.

A search of Williams’ vehicle revealed several items taken during the burglary and used in the burglary.

Byrd said the school has taken steps in hopes of deterring future break-ins and other criminal activities on school grounds.

“We have taken immediate steps by posting signs stating that we have cameras that cover the entire school, and everyone is monitored,” he said. “We have talked to our students and informed them that all we have is for them. When someone takes that away, they are taking it from them. Our students keep us informed. They are proud of their school. They were offended that someone would do that to their school.”

Williams is currently being held at the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton with no bond for violation of probation.