WPRO News and the Associated Press

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A facilities director at the Warwick School Department is facing charges after police say they found school equipment and tools at his home.

Warwick police began investigating 48-year-old David LaPlante, the district’s director of buildings and grounds, and searched his home after school administrators reported suspicious purchasing patterns earlier this month.

Police said the equipment is valued at nearly $73,000.

LaPlante did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. He was charged Tuesday with five counts of being a municipal employee who wrongfully converted property or money to personal use. He was released on $50,000 bond after his arraignment. He did not enter a plea.

The school district fired him earlier this month.