WYOMING COMPUTERS STOLEN Wyoming Tribune-Eagle Online : Burns school is target of vandalism

Burns school is target of vandalism

CHEYENNE (WTE) -- Suspects broke into Burns Junior-Senior High early Sunday morning and stole computer equipment worth $20,000 to $30,000.

They also took medications from the nurse's office, said Gerry Luce, spokesman for the Laramie County Sheriff's Department.

Burns Junior-Senior High is east of Cheyenne. It is part of Laramie County School District 2.

The Laramie County Sheriff's Department and Burns Town Marshal are investigating.

The thefts included more than 20 Dell laptop computers, two video projection systems and students' personal medications that were stored in the nurse's office, Luce said.

The suspects damaged windows, doors, electronic gear, computers and desks.

One or more of the suspects may be juveniles, based on the school's surveillance video. Investigators are reviewing the video as part of the investigation.

The number of suspects is not being released now because of the investigation.

Luce said he did not know specifically how the juveniles broke into the building or if they are students at the high school.

"Once we gain some additional information, there's a chance young people of all ages could be involved," said Luce, who told the media about the break-in after 3 p.m. Monday.

He referred questions about any impact the theft and vandalism may have had on class activities Monday to Laramie County School District 2 officials.

School went on Monday as usual. But employees closed off the library to put away books that had been pulled onto the floor.

The suspects broke out quite a few outside and inside windows, said LCSD2 Superintendent Marjorie Simineo.

One of the coaches discovered the vandalism on Sunday.

"It's a sad thing to see vindictive acts that really affect students' lives like that," she said.

"Our staff did an awesome job of staying on track and getting things cleaned up and fixed. We're back on board and really didn't miss a beat," she added.