SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. -- University of Rhode Island police said Monday they have arrested five students and two other suspects in connection with a break-in at the school's Fine Arts Center last month.
Police said they used video and electronic records to identify the suspects. The state crime lab at URI also assisted in gathering physical evidence at the building.
Police said the following people were arrested on charges of breaking and entering and conspiracy to commit breaking and entering: Holly Gagnon, 20, of Riverside; Matthew Marn, 20, of Smithfield; Russell Poisson, 20, of Warwick; Domenic Bucci, 20, of West Warwick; Joseph Walters, 21, of Kingston; and Christopher Yarnish, 20, of Cranston. Walters and Yarnish did not attend URI.
Nathaniel Wilson, 22, of Warwick, was arrested on a charge of conspiracy to commit breaking and entering.
All were released on personal recognizance and are scheduled to appear in District Court on Nov. 18.
Thomas Dougan, vice president for Student Affairs, said the students would be referred to the URI student judicial process, which could impose sanctions ranging from a reprimand to suspension.
University police said they would seek restitution for the large fire and police response, damage to the building and response by National Grid and URI facilities.
On Oct. 22, police said a staff member in the building detected a smell of gas. A facilities worker later discovered a broken gas line on the roof.
As a precaution, police and fire crews evacuated the building. Students, faculty, and staff returned to the building about an hour later. There were no injuries.
Police later found broken skylights, interior damage and computer equipment that had been stolen from inside the building.
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