Student Ordered To Delete Video That Shows Teacher Stealing From Other Kids’ Backpacks
Linden High School sophomore Justine Betti demonstrates hiding in order to catch thief.
A California high school sophomore has allegedly caught one of her own teachers stealing from students.
Justine Betti hid in a locker hoping to discover who had been taking money from kids’ backpacks during physical education the whole school year. “After all the kids left she stayed in there and went through people’s backpacks,” Betti explained. “I saw her take money and then I told people and nobody believed me.” Incensed, she hatched a plan, “Something needed to be done. Like, that’s not okay.”
In order to get proof, Betti went back into the locker February 13 to record the theft; she held a cell phone recording from one angle while sitting in one locker, and positioned a second camera in another locker.
“I didn’t want to believe that she would do something like that because she was so nice, but then she did it,” the teenager told local news of the 30 year veteran educator at Linden High School. “She was so nice. Like, I saw it, and I would never believe it.”
The incriminating footage shows what appears to be money being removed from a pink backpack. ”I was like, oh my God, I can’t believe I got this on video and I couldn’t believe that I got it and I kept watching it over and over,” the teenager said.
Betti and several other students took the proof to the principal who ostensibly orchestrated a cover-up, “He said that he’ll investigate it and he told us to delete the video but I had already sent it to my dad,” explained Betti.
The alleged thief was put on administrative leave, but only after the video spread and reportedly came to the attention of local authorities.
The school district and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the crime. No charges have been filed yet.