Island Park woman arrested for allegedly breaking into Hewlett Elementary School

Posted

Updated Jan. 2 at 1:45 p.m.

An Island Park woman was arrested at 10:20 p.m. on Jan. 1 for allegedly breaking into Hewlett Elementary School at 1570 Broadway in Hewlett on New Year’s Day, Nassau police said.

Maria Campione, 20, of Franklin Avenue, allegedly used a rock to break the front door window of Hewlett Elementary and entered the building, according to police.

She was seen on surveillance cameras running through the hallways by Hewlett-Woodmere School District’s security staff that were monitoring all the district’s schools at the Woodmere Education Center.

While in the school she also triggered the fire alarm. The Hewlett Fire Department responded to the false alarm.

Police said 911 was called and the responding officers found Campione a short distance away from the school. After a brief foot pursuit, she was arrested.

“We are very pleased with the response of our security staff and the Nassau County Police Department officers of the 4th Precinct,” said Hewlett-Woodmere Superintendent Dr. Ralph Marino Jr. “ Their swift response likely limited the damage, allowing us to make repairs in time for school on Monday.”

Campione is charged with burglary third-degree, criminal mischief second-degree and falsely reporting an incident second-degree. She will be arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Jan. 2.