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Three cadets charged in burglary

The missing coins, cash and computer equipment were reported by the head of the Junior Navy ROTC program at Central High School.

By JONATHAN ABEL
Published July 21, 2006

SPRING HILL - Three ROTC cadets at Central High School were arrested Wednesday and charged with stealing cash and a laptop from the ROTC instructor's office.

The thefts were reported Tuesday by retired Lt. Col. Michael Ralph, the head of the Junior Navy ROTC program, which was named tops in the country this year.

Ralph said someone took a laptop, a laptop bag, a can of coins, and $80 in cash, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Investigators determined the burglars used a key to enter the office, the report said. Bruce Kennedy, another ROTC instructor, reported his key was missing.

On Wednesday, Ralph told the Sheriff's Office that three cadets - two 17-year-olds and a 16-year-old - had confessed to the burglary.

The cadets are not being named because of their ages.

One youth has been charged with commercial burglary and another with theft and commercial burglary. The third has been charged with theft, commercial burglary, attempted commercial burglary and carrying a concealed weapon. He was found to have brass knuckles in his pocket, according to the Sheriff's Office.

"We've had a couple of youngsters that have obviously made a poor decision," Ralph said. "They're being dealt with in an appropriate manner."

Ralph declined to say whether the students were still part of the program.

The three boys were taken to the Hernando County Jail and released to their parents.

Jonathan Abel can be reached at jabel@sptimes.com or 352 754-6114.

[Last modified July 20, 2006, 19:42:38]