GEORGIA COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM SCHOOLS Burglars nab computers, electronics from two Smyrna schools | ajc.com

Burglars nab computers, electronics from two Smyrna schools

By DIANE R. STEPP
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/10/07

Smyrna police are looking for burglary suspects who have repeatedly broken into two Smyrna schools since July, taking thousands of dollars worth of computers and other electronic equipment.

The latest break-in was last week, said Cobb school district spokesman Jay Dillon. Security cameras captured photographs of two suspects which were aired on television over the weekend. School system security chief James Arrowood said showing the security camera video has led to tips on possible suspects under investigation.

The burglars have hit Griffin Middle School on King Springs Road and King Springs Elementary on Reed Road, apparently accessing the property through a fence that separates the schools from an apartment complex, Dillon said.

Arrowood said the burglars cut through a fence behind King Springs Elementary and stole computers and other equipment from portable classrooms located behind the school. He said additional lighting with motion sensor detectors and other security measures have been added to the area and the fence repaired.

The suspects got inside nearby Griffin Middle School, setting off alarms, but got away with the stolen equipment before police arrived. "They were only in there a few minutes," Arrowood said. In those few minutes, the suspects broke windows, doors, and wiring as they yanked computers from their connections, the school security chief said.

Smyrna police said both schools have been burglarized numerous times over the past five months.

In one break-in, the suspects helped themselves to a teacher's personal rock collection.

One photo taken by school security cameras during a burglary at Griffin Middle shows a suspect wearing a baby blue jogging suit and a black ball cap.

Other photos supplied by the police of a break-in at King Springs Elementary show a suspect wearing a white T-shirt with an Atlanta Falcon printed on it. Police said he may have some type of deformity on his right wrist.

Dillon said the computers are marked as property of Cobb County Schools. Arrowood said each has a serial number on it and those numbers have been entered into the state crimecomputer.

A reward is being offered for information that may help Smyrna police in the investigation. If you've got a tip, please call 678-631-5182.