NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A Florida high school football coach has been arrested after authorities say he repeatedly stole money from students’ wallets.
Volusia County sheriff’s officials said they used invisible luminescent powder sprinkled on decoy money to catch Rodney Barnes.
Authorities said nine students lost $950, but they expect those numbers to rise as the investigation continues.
After several thefts in the boys’ locker room, the school bought an ultraviolet theft detection kit and the sheriff’s office launched “Operation Sticky Fingers.”
A student was given a wallet containing $141 and each bill was coated with luminescent powder. After some of the money was taken, officials search students for traces of the powder.
Forty-three year-old Barnes admitted taking the money and confessed to several other thefts. He was charged Monday with burglary and grand theft.
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