FLORIDA (UPDATE) COMPUTERS STOLEN http://www.cfnews13.com/video?clip=http://static.cfnews13.com/newsvideo/cfn/1130ComputerThefts_113020100812.flv

SEE VIDEO..............

$58,000 worth of electronics stolen from Howard Middle School

Howard Middle School students came back from their holiday break to find someone stole $58,000 worth of electronics.

• 
• 
• 

By Kelli Cook, Reporter
Last Updated: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 9:47 PM

VIDEO STORIES

• Computers stolen from school 

MORE INFO

• Howard Middle School

ORLANDO -- 

Howard Middle School students came back from their holiday break to the shocking surprise their school had been robbed.

Several computers and digital equipment was stolen while students and staff were away for the Thanksgiving holiday.

"Everything we had worked for was gone, just gone," said Principal Dr. Carl Cartwright.

It took three years to save up for the lab full of expensive iMac computers and video equipment.

"I’m so used to coming in and the computers sitting in front of me," said student Sophie Fernandez.

Now it's just loose wires and empty desks.

Twenty four computers were stolen. There’s also an empty cabinet were video projectors, camcorders and digital cameras used to be.

The problem with Mac computers is they’re easy to steal. You only have to loosen up about four cords in the back and take off with the monitor, which is about a $2,000 value.

However, you can’t put a price tag on what these students have lost.

A year ago, News 13 visited this same computer lab that once was a bustling class where students learned videography, photography, and musical composition. Now all of their hard work is gone.

"I think I was drawing something for a card,” said Molly Olson, a student. “I was making and I was really excited about doing that and it was looking really good, but I don't get to finish that."

Orlando police said the thieves made off with about $58,000 in equipment and the suspects had a pretty good idea of the layout of the school.

The computer lab is located right in the center.

"And these children, unless we receive these Macs back, are not going to have anything soon in order to get them up and running again," Cartwright said.

This was not exactly the lesson these students wanted to learn after returning from their Thanksgiving break.

"It’s sad, and it hurts and it's crazy,” Olson said.

Although the computers were stolen, students can complete their elective course.

Teachers are now converting back to textbooks to finish out the class.