Updated with new details about the Sheriff’s Office investigation and charges for an earlier theft at a medical device company
A Durham man was arrested Wednesday and charged with causing nearly $1 million in damage to the air conditioning system at Glenn Elementary School, just in time for the start of a new school year with sweltering temperatures.
According to a search warrant filed by the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, William Leroy Jenkins stole AC equipment parts from Glenn Elementary School on East Geer Street between 4:23 a.m. and 5:28 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 28. An arrest warrant says he sold the parts to a scrap metal company for $3,463. The warrant states Jenkins conspired with another man to commit the crimes. The 9th Street Journal is not naming him, as court records indicate he has not yet been charged.
Jenkins faces charges that include felony larceny and felony conspiracy, and was scheduled to be in court today.
A search warrant reviewed by The 9th Street Journal details the incident, which the school reported to law enforcement Saturday. DPS Executive Director of Safety and Security Mclloyd Bynum estimated that the school suffered $900,000 in damage to its cold-water AC system. The warrant explains that DCSO used video evidence and old-fashioned detective work to solve the case. Video evidence obtained by the Durham County Sheriff’s Office shows the individuals loading pieces of aluminum coils and insulated pipes into a white Chevrolet truck with a trailer attachment.
According to the warrant, Deputy Sheriff C. Bradsher assumed the individuals likely sold the scraps to a local retailer. After checking with retailers and the former owner of the vehicle, Bradsher found a recorded transaction made by the pair later on Aug. 28 that included aluminum coils resembling the stolen property. Bradsher used facial recognition technology on the video to identify two suspects. Jenkins allegedly used fraudulent identifying information during the transaction. The Sheriff’s Office seized the Chevrolet as evidence.
The school will be using rental cooling equipment until full repairs or replacements are possible, Durham Public Schools Communications Director Crystal Roberts told The 9th Street Journal in an email.
Jenkins faces additional larceny and conspiracy charges for a similar case involving AC equipment. An arrest warrant says the incident happened of Aug. 16 at Avioq, an in-vitro diagnostic medical device company. The damages to the company’s air conditioning system amounted to more than $10,000. It says Jenkins collaborated with the same co-conspirator, who is not yet in custody.
Court records show Jenkins has been charged in more than 30 criminal cases statewide, dating back to 2004.
Photo at top: The Sheriff’s Office said two thieves caused $900,000 in damage to the AC system at Glenn Elementary in east Durham. Photo provided by Mechworks
Sophie Endrud
