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Newton police detail doesn't stop theft

A pricey police detail in Newton that didn't stop a robbery right under their noses is raising a lot of questions tonight, the latest in a string of bad news for the department.

Seven police officers were getting paid overtime last week to watch a building that's been targeted by thieves, but somehow during their shifts the building was broken into again.

It happened at the former Ivex Corporation building in Tower Road in Newton. Thieves had broken into the now-vacant building several times to steal copper.

That's what prompted Newton Police to set up the detail, to try and catch whoever has been breaking in.

Newton Police had the place covered from 7:30 Friday night until 7:30 Saturday morning. Two officers worked from 7:30 to 11:30 Friday night, and five others worked from 11:30 p.m. until the next morning.

Just as the shift ended Saturday morning, an officer doing a perimeter check noticed footprints leading to and from the building. The officers realized the building had been broken into, right under their noses.

Since it snowed that night, Newton Police believe the break in happened between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m., the time when the building was under surveillance.

Newton Police point out it's a big building. They were always watching it, but police say some of the officers were away from the building for some period of time for a roll call meeting with a supervisor.

It was an overnight shift for five of the officers, so FOX Undercover asked Newton Police, did the officers fall asleep? Police say there's no evidence of that.

It's the latest in a string of trouble for the department. Last month five off-duty officers threw eggs at a supervisor's house. Back in October, the police chief was fired for inappropriate behavior against women in his department, including his secretary.