Christopher Britton, a 34-year-old man from Fairfield, was arrested on Friday morning for allegedly burglarizing several elementary schools in Northern California. The Marin County Sheriff’s Office claims that Britton targeted classrooms while teachers were busy with meetings or after-school programs, stealing credit cards and running up thousands of dollars in unauthorized charges.
Britton’s method involved loitering on school campuses, often pretending to look for a teacher or student when approached by staff. However, his real goal was to find unattended purses and wallets belonging to unsuspecting teachers. The sheriff’s office reports that he managed to steal from classrooms at three public elementary schools in San Rafael: Lucas Valley, Mary Silveira, and Venetia Valley.
The incidents began in February, with the first report coming on February 12 at Mary Silveira. Over the course of the month, around 10 teachers fell victim to the burglaries, losing approximately $7,000 in total. Authorities suspect that there may be more victims across Marin, Contra Costa, and Alameda counties, although they are still investigating.
Britton was apprehended by a task force that included police departments from Vacaville, Lafayette, and Danville, as well as Dublin Police Services. He faces serious charges, including burglary and using someone else’s credit card without consent. These are all felonies, along with misdemeanors for obtaining credit using someone else’s identification.
Deputy Stephanie Ware, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, explained that Britton often waited for school assemblies or other activities to sneak into unlocked classrooms. He would typically take one or two credit cards and leave behind cash and other valuables to avoid drawing attention to himself. Some victims didn’t realize they had been robbed until they checked their bank statements weeks later.
Sheriff’s officials noted that the campuses targeted were relatively open and lacked secure entrances, making it easier for Britton to blend in and commit his crimes. As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone who may have been affected by similar thefts to come forward.