MISSOURI COMPUTERS STOLEN Hickory Hills School theft under investigation | News-Leader.com | Springfield News-Leader:

Hickory Hills School theft under investigation
About $10,000 worth of equipment reported missing.

Gregory Trotter • News-Leader • September 15, 2009

Computers, generators and other equipment were stolen from a construction trailer at the new Hickory Hills School during the weekend, according to the Greene County Sheriff's Office.

About $10,000 worth of computer, office and construction equipment was discovered missing Monday morning from the trailer at the school site, at 4650 E. Route YY.

"It's still an ongoing investigation into what else might have been taken," said Cpt. Randy Gibson.

Two computers and two generators were taken from the site, Gibson said, adding the police might not release the full inventory of stolen items while the investigation is ongoing.

The burglar apparently forced entry through the trailer's locked doors, he said. There were no additional security measures in place.

The trailer belongs to DeWitt and Associates Inc., the company contracted to build the new school.

The school should be finished by December, said district spokeswoman Teresa Bledsoe, and classes will be moved from the current Hickory Hills school to the new location during winter break.

The Springfield school board voted to build the school in October 2006, citing concerns that traffic was too dangerous near the present Hickory Hills location at 3429 East Trafficway.

The district is still trying to sell the property after an Arkansas buyer opted out of negotiations last spring.

Last February, the board approved a plan to finance the new school's construction with a lease purchase certificate of about $8.6 million.

DeWitt and Company -- not the district -- is responsible for the cost of the stolen equipment, Bledsoe said.

DeWitt and Company representatives were not immediately available for comment.