Andover Middle School Teacher Resigns After Theft Charges

ANDOVER, MA -- The Andover middle school teacher who was charged with three counts of theft, two counts of criminal trespassing and a count of endangering the welfare of a child after being accused of using a child to help him steal prizes from a video game resigned his position. Anthony Helinski, 34, of Lawrence, had been on administrative leave since his Sept. 19 arrest by police in Salem, NH. Helsinki was paid $85,000 a year by the district and taught at the Doherty Middle School.

Police say Helsinki stuffed his toddler daughter into an arcade game at The Mall at Rockingham Park to steal prizes. Helsinki turned himself into Salem, NH Police after investigators distributed video of the incident to the media in an effort to identify him. Helsinki is free on bond pending an arraignment October 29 in Salem District Court.

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Patch file photo and video by Salem, NH Police.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).