Elementary school teacher stole AI robots, Lego sets to sell online, saying 'I needed the money'

An elementary school teacher has been caught stealing educational equipment and selling it on a secondhand trading site.

Boeun Police Station in North Chungcheong Province referred the teacher, identified only as A, to prosecutors without seeking detention.

A faces charges of stealing AI robots, Lego sets and other educational equipment from the school on 12 separate occasions between April last year and May this year, then selling the items online for about 4.5 million won ($3,360).

The case came to light after a member of the public noticed the educational equipment listed on a secondhand trading platform and filed a complaint with the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission.

A admitted to the charges during the police investigation, saying "I did it because I needed money," according to police.

Education authorities have since removed A from the position and barred the teacher from related duties.