Authorities seek clues to school break-ins

Authorities continue to investigate a recent rash of computer thefts at Pope Elementary School.

For more than a week, unknown suspects have entered the school grounds and removed computer hardware from multiple trailers, causing significant damage in the process.

School officials reported the first break-in on Nov. 5, when they noticed trailers at the rear of the school used for speech therapy classes and storage had been broken into. A glass window was broken in at each trailer, but nothing was reported taken.

Another break-in was reported the next day at the speech therapy trailer, and a Dell 360 desktop computer was reported stolen.

Damage to the trailers and the cost of the computer in those incidents totaled $2,000, authorities said.

Authorities also reported that a suspect used an unknown object Tuesday evening to forcibly enter other trailers at the school used for nurses, music, TAG and behavior support. The suspect allegedly broke out the front window of two of the units and stole an HP computer, a Dell hard drive and a Yahama keyboard.

Police said they are unsure how the suspect entered two of the trailers but said nothing was reported stolen from those trailers.

During the break-ins, the suspect allegedly disengaged the electrical breaker on all the units.

Rocky Mount police Capt. Laura Fahnestock declined to comment on the matters because she said the investigation was ongoing. Police have not yet confirmed whether multiple suspects are involved in the break-ins.

In wake of the break-ins, school administrators continue to ask questions about what could have spurred the suspects to steal from the school multiple times.

Principal Sheila Wallace said she did not want to speculate but said the economy could be a factor.

“A lot of people are desperate right now,” Wallace said. “It’s unfortunate (the suspects) feel they must take our resources that help boost academic standards.”

Wallace, who is in her fourth year as principal, said she never has run into a problem like this.

Wallace said she was not exactly sure when all the stolen computer equipment will be replaced, but school officials are working to replace the items.

Anyone with information about the break-ins should call Twin County Crime Stoppers at 977-1111.