Woodbury Teacher Arrested for Stealing Camera

Police said a teacher from was arrested this week for allegedly stealing a camera from a classroom and later pawning it.

After a brief investigation, police said Stephen Pierce, 46, of Salem turned himself in on an outstanding arrest warrant Monday morning for receiving stolen property and theft by deception.

In a statement, Deputy Police Chief Shawn Patten said Pierce is an employee of Woodbury and believed he is an 8th grade teacher. According to the Woodbury website, a teacher named Steve Pierce is listed as an 8th grade language arts teacher.

Police said a 6th grade teacher reported a Nikon camera and its case missing from his classroom on April 9. Patten said he believed the camera was school property.

Police said Woodbury School Resource Officer Robert Genest told the police investigations administrative assistant, who handles pawn slips, to be on the lookout for a slip matching the camera's description. 

On April 20, a pawn slip matching the camera's description was discovered by the investigations assistant. From there, Genest was able to confirm the camera from the slip as the one missing from the Woodbury classroom.

Police said the camera was valued at $679.99 and pawned for $150.

Police said Pierce was released on $2,500 personal recognizance following his arrest, pending arraignment in the 10th Circuit Court of Salem.

SAU 57 Superintendent Michael Delahanty was unavailable for comment Wednesday and his secretary told Patch he will be issuing a statement on this matter Thursday morning.