ROCKLAND — A Rockland man who was arrested by Rockland Police for allegedly breaking into Oceanside High School East made his initial court appearance in Knox County Superior Court April 11.

Brian Burch, 23, of Rockland, is charged with burglary and criminal mischief for the April 6 burglary at the high school. The burglary charge was elevated to a Class B offense due to Burch’s prior convictions. The charge of criminal mischief and theft will be brought forward at a future date, according to the court documents. 

Judge Susan Sparaco set bail at $5,000 cash, but Burch remains in jail on a probation hold since he tested positive for drug use when he was arrested April 8. 

Police received numerous tips from the public after circulating still photographs and a segment of the surveillance video of the burglary through the media. Some of the tips lead to evidence which allegedly tied Burch to the burglary although two additional names of possible suspects were given to police, according to the court documents. 

The three suspects all provided DNA samples to be matched against the tools found outside of the school by police that came from a janitor’s closet. The other two suspects were not charged, according to the court documents. 

Police previously confirmed that the only item reported stolen from the break-in was a fire extinguisher and locked interior doors were damaged. 

Burch will appear in court again June 23 for a dispositional conference. 

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com.

Related stories:

Rockland man arrested for school burglary