Anthony Helinski. (Salem, NH Police Department)
ANDOVER (WBZ-AM) -- An Andover middle school teacher is on administrative leave after allegedly using a young child to steal prizes from inside a game machine in New Hampshire.
Anthony Helinski, 34 of Lawrence, turned himself in to Salem, New Hampshire Police Wednesday, after they released cell phone video of Helinski from the Mall at Rockingham Park. The video appears to show Helinski using a toddler to climb into the machine and take prizes from it. The department received numerous tips that led them to issue a warrant for Helinski.
The department posted the video on their Facebook page:
Helinski is charged with theft by unauthorized taking, two counts of criminal trespass, and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
In Andover, residents who spoke to WBZ-TV were stunned.
"He's stealing, right? there's no way he paid for all that," one woman said.
"I don't know how the child got in, thank God she got out," said another.
Helinski has been placed on administrative leave from his job at the Doherty Middle School, and is due to be arraigned on October 29. Until then, he is free on personal recognizance.