Peabody-Burns High School break-in costly to district
Peabody Police Chief Jeff Pohlman reported Monday that sometime between 12:05 and 6 a.m. Monday an unknown person or persons broke into Peabody-Burns High School causing damage to the interior of the building and stealing cash, computers, and electronic equipment.
"The thieves broke out windows in the interior of the school," said Pohlman. "Five classroom windows and one door were ruined. The cost will be at least $2,500 to replace them."
Five laptop computers, one projector, a Palm Pilot, $700 in cash, and other miscellaneous computer items also were stolen. Value on the property has been set at roughly $8,300.
"The cost may top out as high as $12,500," said Pohlman.
Pohlman said USD 398 Superintendent Tom Alstrom was at the school until just after midnight Sunday night because the senior class was leaving by bus for their senior trip to San Antonio, Texas. The buses pulled out at midnight and Alstrom locked the building and was on his way home by 12:05 a.m.
Custodian Jay Cook found the damage at 6 a.m. Monday when he arrived for work at the high school. He contacted Alstrom and police.
"The school district is offering a reward of $500 for any information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for this," said Pohlman.
He asked anyone with any information to call his office at 983-2133.
"We are interested in anyone who may notice that someone has more money than they should, has new computer equipment, anything that is not quite right," he said. "Or if someone overhears something, we would like to know.
"If there is no officer to take the call (at the police office), anyone with information can leave a message and we will get back to them as soon as possible," he added.
