Some Burnaby schools are experiencing higher-than-usual absenteeism rates, but the reasons behind that are unknown, said district superintendent Claudio Morelli.

The school district lets the Fraser Health Authority know when absenteeism reaches 10 per cent of a school’s population.

Morelli said a handful of Burnaby schools have hit that threshold but “not significantly” higher. He could not provide exact figures of schools affected or their absenteeism rates.

He stressed that the district is unable to determine the exact reasons for students’ absences because it does not require parents to divulge that information. Sometimes they do provide a reason but not always.

So it could be due to H1N1, regular flu, colds or other ailments, Morelli noted.

It could also be a result of the district’s H1N1 education campaign in which students are encouraged to stay home if they show symptoms of flu or cold.

“We’re trying to be preventative.”

Alleged bank robber caught in flight

A 24-year-old Burnaby man is facing numerous charges after a bank robbery last Friday afternoon.

Just before 5 p.m. on Oct. 23 a lone male entered the Vancity credit union branch at 3977 North Road and robbed it, before fleeing on foot.

He ran to a nearby parking lot and tried to steal a vehicle from one victim but was unsuccessful. He then stole a car from a second victim and sped away.

Burnaby RCMP responded quickly and arrested the suspect a short distance away.

Brandon Cartwright, 24, of Burnaby, was remanded in custody and charged with four counts of robbery and one charge of assault with a weapon. He was to appear in Vancouver Provincial Court Oct. 26 to face more charges.

Third time unlucky for B&E artist?

It appears a career criminal is choosy in his targets after being caught breaking into the same Burnaby business for the third time.

At around 4 p.m. Oct. 25, Burnaby RCMP officers responded to an alarm at a business in the 3600-block of Bainbridge Avenue.

When they arrived, they noticed a panel in the receiving door had been tampered with. Police dog Spuds, his handler and another officer crawled through the opening to investigate.

More officers soon arrived to assist in searching the large warehouse.

One officer just caught a glimpse of the suspect as he headed for the exit and arrested him after a short chase.

The suspect, a 53-year-old man with no fixed address, was arrested on two outstanding warrants and was to appear in Vancouver provincial court Monday to face charges of break and enter.

He has already been sentenced for one previous break-and-enter at the same business in August 2008 and is still awaiting sentencing for a September 2009 offence at the same place.