Items were disappearing left and right from classrooms. The thefts were rampant enough that   an “Anti-Theft” campaign was recently created in an effort to deter perpetrators. A thorough investigation led by Officer Poach, however, found at least one person behind the crimes.

On June 2, 43 year old night custodian Alba Cosme was arrested and charged with three counts of grand larceny and two counts of larceny with intent to sell or distribute.

“It was a big surprise when I found out. I’ve known her for four years. She is a good person, and I had never had any suspicions that she was stealing,” said assistant building supervisor Fanny Barberena.

Following a voluntary interview with the SRO in which she allegedly admitted to stealing, Cosme was arrested at the McLean district police station and taken into the custody of the Fairfax Sheriff’s office, according to Fairfax County Police Public Information Office representative Dan Gotthardt.

“I feel sad for her, that she felt like she had to steal. But I also feel bad for the people that were violated. It’s not just about the stolen property, it’s about the sense of security that was robbed,” said Principal Matthew Ragone. “Hopefully this arrest will send a strong message to anybody else out there who was planning on stealing.”

Cosme was booked and held in jail, but her stay lasted just one night. According to the clerk at the court where she had her arraignment hearing on June 3, she posted her own bail for $5,000 and was released to wait for her General District Court hearing, set for July 6. Cosme’s charges, grand larceny as well as larceny with intent to sell, could earn her more jail time and a possible fine.  She also faces the possibility of being sent to a circuit court trial, if the General District Court decides that her crimes are serious enough. The circuit court is “the trial court with the broadest powers in Virginia,” according to the Virginia Judicial System website.

According to Barberena, Cosme is married with two grown children (one of whom is an accountant,) and worked at Langley for about ten years before her arrest. She has now been suspended without pay. Cosme could not be reached for comment.