KANSAS STOLEN SCHOOL COMPUTERS RECOVERED Laptops stolen from SEHS | The Morning Sun

Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Story last updated at 12/18/2007 - 12:07 am

Laptops stolen from SEHS

By Brian Pommier | The Morning Sun

Two juveniles were arrested and two more interviewed after a break-in at Southeast High School that resulted in the loss of 21 laptop computers, plus accessories.

According to Crawford County Sheriff Sandy Horton, one of those arrested was a student at the school, while the other attends Cherokee Village — an alternative school. The two juveniles who were interviewed were also students at Southeast.

And that's what disturbs Horton the most.

"What really is discouraging to me is that this particular high school issues laptops to every single student from freshmen up through seniors," Horton said. "They can utilize them for homework assignments and research. It's fantastic that the school board would authorize the purchase of laptops for everyone.

"The burglars — all but one — are students at the school. They know the importance of these laptops. To me, the most discouraging fact was that students stole laptops that would've been issued to fellow students."

The burglary took place at about 12:30 a.m. on Friday, and was discovered after technology director Bryan Burdette came to school and saw his door was open.

"It was noticed Friday morning," said superintendent Tim Burns. "Some of them were in for repair. They were sitting on the counter and (Burdette) noticed they were missing."

According to Horton, the School Resource Officer and Sheriff's Detectives worked closely with school officials and quickly developed suspects. The two arrested teenagers were taken to the Juvenile Detention Center in Girard at 12:45 p.m. Friday.

With the laptops, accessories and damage to the school that occurred during the break-in, the total loss exceeded $28,000.

All the property was recovered.

"You're always disappointed that someone would do something like this, but sometimes it does," Burns said. "But our (School Resource Officer), the investigator and our building administration was able to get together quickly. They did a good job of following through on this."

The Crawford County Attorney's Office will review the deputies' reports and make a decision if charges are warranted.

Brian Pommier can be reached at brian.pommier@morningsun.net or by calling 620-231-2600, ext. 132.