A Massachusetts man is accused of stealing food and equipment from Plymouth Public Schools, where he worked as the Food Services director, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office.
Prosecutors allege that Patrick VanCott, 62, of Sandwich, used his position to order premium meats, including things like lobster, through the school and then resold them at the Snack Shack at Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable, which he operates. He is also accused of stealing cafeteria and classroom equipment and paper goods.
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WATCH HEREVanCott has been placed on administrative leave, the DA noted.
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SIGN UP The investigation began on May 30 when Plymouth Public Schools reached out to report an anonymous letter alleging that VanCott was stealing. The stolen property is owned by the schools and paid for by the federal government.
Investigators say surveillance footage revealed that VanCott took two commercial refrigerators on April 4, loading one into a town truck and later coming back and loading the second into his personal truck. Massachusetts State Police cameras from the Sagamore Bridge later show his truck crossing the Sagamore Bridge, the fridge visible in the bed.
Prosecutors said that through interviews, surveillance footage and analysis of financial documents, police found that VanCott had been stealing for years. They allege that once a week, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, VanCott would have cafeteria employees pack up two bags of deli turkey and one bag of ham, mark them with the initials PVC and place them back in the fridge for him.
VanCott, who is the only person with the authority to make the orders for the cafeteria, allegedly placed orders for premium Angus hamburgers, hot dogs, lobster meat and other food that were never served to students or school staff.
He is further accused of placing orders for $8,300-worth of equipment that was not found in Plymouth Public Schools storage, including:
- Refrigerated sandwich table - $1,700
- 2 Fry Pans - $96
- Convection oven - $850
- Undercounter freezer - $1,700
- Microwave - $299
- Bagel warmer - $294
- Cuisinart coffee maker - $84
Police executed a search warrant on June 4 at the Snack Shack and found a 28-foot industrial-sized refrigerator, bins, government-issued food, a coffee maker, blackboards and other items they believe tied to the investigation.
VanCott faces charges of larceny over $1,200 by a single scheme and larceny from a building. He was arraigned in Plymouth District Court Friday, held on a $50,000 cash bail and ordered to stay away from all Plymouth school campuses and storage facilities.
The district's superintendent said in a statement that, while it can't comment the specifics of a case under active investigation, he is aware of the allegations and VanCott is prohibited from entering school property.
"We are grateful to the dedicated staff members who came forward with concerns and cooperated throughout the investigative process. Their professionalism and integrity reflect the values we strive to uphold across our District," Superintendent Christopher Campbell said in a statement. "As soon as these allegations came to our attention, the District acted swiftly and in accordance with internal procedures."
People by the shack on Sandy Neck Beach were shocked to learn about the allegations on Friday.
“How did he think he was going to get away with that?” one said.
