Independence custodian charged with theft

The custodian of an Independence school has been charged with stealing money from a fundraiser for a sick student. 42-year-old Robert Ferres of Independence was arrested by Buchanan County Deputies on two warrants. One warrant was for possession of stolen property in connection with the theft of a money bag from the vault of the Independence Middle School. The money was from a January fundraiser for a student who had been diagnosed with cancer. The money bag, part of the cash, and checks were recovered from Ferres’ home during an investigation in January. The second warrant was for possession of a controlled substance. Ferres has been released after posting bond. He had been on administrative leave, school officials are not commenting about whether he is still a school employee.