The former Plymouth schools’ food services manager accused of stealing food, equipment, and other goods to use at his beach snack bar is asking a judge to free him from home confinement and electronic monitoring.
Patrick VanCott, 63, pled not guilty to larceny at his arraignment in June.
A district court judge originally ordered him held on $50,000 bail, but a superior court judge lowered it to $10,000, which a relative posted, according to records.
He was placed on GPS monitoring and ordered to remain in his Sandwich home, except to go to medical or legal appointments.
In a motion filed Tuesday, VanCott’s lawyer argued that the conditions of his pre-trial release were “unconstitutional.”
No assessment was made to determine if the conditions were reasonable — as required under the state constitution, wrote his lawyer, Nathaniel Amendola, who argued that the conditions placed on VanCott are not reasonable.
VanCott intends to attend his court appearances, Amendola wrote, and there are no witnesses or victims who might feel endangered were he allowed to move freely.
His client is battling cancer, Amendola added, and “the home confinement has been a detriment not only to his physical health, but his mental health.”
The judge has not ruled on the motion.
VanCott, who held the food services job for more than 20 years, was arrested in early June after a school official received a letter from an anonymous employee alleging a male co-worker had been stealing commercial equipment and food. The author identified the co-worker as “Mr. VanCott.”
When VanCott was charged, Plymouth school officials were unable to explain how he was apparently able to avoid detection for years — saying only that they, too, were looking for answers. It’s unclear whether they have determined why his alleged thefts were not reported earlier.
He allegedly pilfered school equipment and food to use at the Snack Shack, a side business he owned on Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable. After his arrest, he was immediately placed on administrative leave from his $114,000 Plymouth job. He has since been fired.
According to Plymouth County prosecutors, VanCott used the school system’s account to order “premium meats, even lobster” for “resale” at the Snack Shack.
His orders included Angus hamburgers, hot dogs, lobster meat, and other food products, they charged. He also allegedly stole cafeteria and classroom equipment, as well as paper goods.
Surveillance video allegedly showed him loading a refrigerator and boxes of food into his personal vehicles, police reports said.
On Tuesday, Plymouth County Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth O’Connell, asked a judge to order the school system to turn over bills and food supply orders for the period of March 1, 2025, to June 1, 2025.
“The billing statements and records are relevant to show the extent and the nature of the costs incurred on the schools’ account,” she wrote, describing the records as “essential to the Commonwealth’s case.”
Plymouth District Court Judge Shelby Smith approved the motion.
VanCott is due back in court on Nov. 5.
Meantime, a new food services director began work this week.
David Badot, longtime food services director for Barnstable Public Schools, started his job in Plymouth on Monday, according to school superintendent Christopher Campbell.
Andrea Estes can be reached at andrea@plymouthindependent.org.