New Canaan Schools Worker Arrested for Theft [Update]

Update: 5:20 p.m.

In a statement, Darien superintendent Stephen Falcone said Otto had been placed on paid administrative leave while the district conducts its own investigation into the charges.

Original Story

(The following report was updated to include information provided by New Canaan Public Schools.)

Police say they’ve arrested the former facilities manager at New Canaan public schools for allegedly stealing nearly $7,000 worth of equipment from storage facilities.

According to a press release from New Canaan police Sgt. Carol Ogrinc, the department’s public information officer, 52-year-old Hans Otto of Danbury has been arrested by warrant and charged with third-degree larceny.

According to a release issued by the superintendent of New Canaan Public Schools, Otto worked as the facilities manager for the district for 12 years. He was hired in 1999, and resigned effective April 8, 2011, with the Darien Public Schools.

The equipment, , “consisted of a wooden table, two folding tables, a hand truck, an air compressor, a portable generator, a laser level with tripod, and a power washer,” Ogrinc said.

"If the charges are true, I am deeply disappointed," New Canaan Superintendent of Schools David Abbey said in a press release. "It's hard to understand." 

Otto turned himself in on the warrant, Ogrinc said in the statement. He was released on $10,000 bond and scheduled to appear July 12 in state Superior Court in Norwalk.