Daily Archives: June 16, 2009

Nursing home employee arrested for stealing from patients

Bainbridge police arrested a 30-year-old Bremerton man for stealing from patients at the Messenger House Care Center where he worked as a nursing assistant.

The suspect, who was arrested on Friday, admitted to having taken a gold religious pendant worth $1,000 from a dementia patient. He also admitted to stealing a video game console valued at $250 from the Manitou Park Boulevard facility’s common area.

Investigators discovered that suspect had recently pawned items matching the description of items stolen from the facility.

The suspect initially denied stealing the items and accused another person of taking them. After making several inconsistent statements, the suspect admitted stealing the pendent and the video game.

He stated he stole the items because of financial problems, police said.

Investigators are looking into additional theft reports from the Messenger House. Anyone with additional information regarding the thefts is encouraged to contact Bainbridge police at (206) 842-5211.

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BI educator accused of sexual abuse released from jail

The 62-year-old Bainbridge High School classroom aid suspected of sexual misconduct with one of his students was released from the Kitsap County Jail on Monday night.

The suspect was arrested Friday after a witness and security camera footage indicated he had inappropriately touched a 17-year-old developmentally disabled girl at the Bainbridge Island Aquatic Center’s swimming pool and hot tub.

Bainbridge police had initially set bail at $500,000 because the suspect was considered likely to flee authorities.The suspect tried to run away from police when they attempted to contact him at his Ferncliff Avenue home Friday evening. The suspect refused to speak with investigators and was arrested on suspicion of felony indecent liberties.

A judge reduced bail on Monday to $15,000. The suspect posted bail and was released at 8:58 p.m.

The Kitsap County Prosecutor’s Office has not yet decided upon any formal charges.

It is the Kitsap Sun’s policy to not release suspect names until formally charged.

Bainbridge police are continuing their investigation and are seeking additional information about other possible incidents involving the suspect.

The suspect has worked in classrooms with developmentally disabled students for at least six years, according to Bainbridge School District officials. Investigators also learned the suspect is a caregiver for mentally challenged females who live in his home.

Bainbridge police can be reached at (206) 842-5211.

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Weekend fundraisers net $50,000 to retain laid-off teachers

Bainbridge school supporters raised $50,000 over the weekend to save some teachers from being laid off.

Islanders washed cars, hosted a school dance, held a garage sale and collected donations to raise funds for the Bainbridge Schools Foundation’s “Save Our Teachers” campaign.

Foundation Executive Director Vicky Marsing called the effort “unbelievable.” The garage sale doubled organizers’ expectations, raising more than $22,000.

Marsing highlighted a couple small community contributions, including a local boy who played his saxophone at the garage sale for donations and an older gentleman with a vast wine collection who plans a wine-tasting to raise money. Parents have been making donations to the campaign instead of giving teachers end-of-the-year gifts, Marsing said.

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