Departing East Palestine principal accused of stealing laptops, iPads, Apple TVs from school

The principal of East Palestine High School was recently arrested after being accused of stealing over $4,000 worth of technology, including laptops, iPads and Apple TVs from the school.

The principal, 43-year-old Gerald Delboccio, was weeks away from starting a new position as Superintendent of the Leetonia Exempted Village School District, when East Palestine police were alerted of his activities.

According to a police report, the East Palestine School District administration had several electronics go missing and found them all locked in a closet inside Delboccio’s office. Several other electronics were found in his car after he was approached by police

They verified the crime by checking security camera footage and finding that Delboccio went inside rooms containing the missing electronics with an empty bag and backpack and immediately went inside his office right after.

He was also seen carrying two boxes with what looked like Apple Macbook laptops. Upon investigation, East Palestine police officers also found stolen Xbox and Playstation controllers, according to the report. A total of 29 items worth $4,382.95 were recovered, with many of them still sealed.

Delboccio was fired from his position as principal and subsequently arrested for theft – a fifth-degree felony. He was transported to Columbiana County jail on Friday.

Leetonia School Board President Michael Robinson declined comment on Monday. He said the board does have an executive session planned during Wednesday’s board meeting, but said no action was expected.

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