CALIFORNIA (UPDATE) COMPUTERS STOLEN Thieves Loot Orangevale School's Laptops, Cameras | News10.net | Sacramento, California | Local News:

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Thieves Loot Orangevale School's Laptops, Cameras

ORANGEVALE, CA - At Andrew Carnegie Middle School, teacher Brian Weitzel received an unpleasant surprise when he walked into his media classroom Monday morning.

Over the weekend, thieves broke out a window to the school's library and then forced open the lock to his adjacent classroom. Once inside, they went straight for a locked cabinet that stored video cameras for his media production class.

"In this room alone, we had over $11,000 worth of equipment stolen," said Weitzel, who added that his computer and 24-inch monitor were taken too. The thieves also stole 20 laptops from a classroom next door.

Weitzel suspects the crooks knew where to find the camera equipment that he has collected over the past six years for his media class in which students have earned numerous Student Education Video Awards.

"This is my baby. This is my program that I've built from the ground up here and so when somebody takes away your opportunity to inspire and create, it hits you hard," said Weitzel.

Student Hannah Martell said the loss in equipment will make it difficult for students to complete class projects such as commercials they make with educational messages for the school's daily broadcast.

"To make those commercials and to show on the air is important to us cause that's what we get graded on in class," said Martell.

"We always film football, volleyball, the Scot Showdown. It's a setback that we can't film that," added student Sami Donovan.

San Juan Unified School District said two other schools, Church Hill Middle School and Barrett Middle School, were also recently targeted by thieves who stole computers and projectors.

A district spokesman said insurance will cover the losses, but there is a $5,000 deductible that will have to be paid.

In the meantime, Weitzel said that his media class will have to share one remaining video camera until replacements can be purchased. He added that his class would appreciate any donations from the community to help cover the losses.

by Alicia Malaby, amalaby@news10.net