ROCKLAND - A Rockland man who was arrested by police for breaking into the Warren Community School in November 2106 and Oceanside High School East in April 2016 was sentenced May 2 for the crimes. 

During his appearance in Knox County Unified court before Judge Bruce Mallonnee, Brian Burch, 24, was sentenced to 810 days in jail for violating probation on a prior aggravated assault conviction in 2013. Burch also received a concurrent sentence for burglary, aggravated criminal mischief, stealing drugs, trafficking in prison contraband and drug possession. 

He was also ordered to pay $1,013.47 in restitution for damages caused during the April 2016 burglary at Oceanside High School East. 

Burch’s conviction for the break-in at the Warren Community School on Nov. 8, 2016, included stealing drugs belonging to students, that were being stored in the medicine cabinet in the nurse’s office, ripping apart window screens and breaking a door window. Police confirmed that the only item reported stolen from the Oceanside High School East break-in was a fire extinguisher and locked interior doors were damaged, according to the court document. 

Related stories:

• Man arrested for Rockland burglary appears in court

• Rockland man arrested for school burglary

• Assaults, drug trafficking top Knox County grand jury indictments

• UPDATED: Thieves target student medication, cause $4,000 damage in Warren Community School break-in

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com