SEELEY LAKE - At 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, staff at Seeley Lake Elementary discovered a multitude of items had been stolen from the school. Between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7:15 a.m., a large number of computers, laptops, tablets, digital cameras, band instruments and various items were taken.
“The cash value of what was taken was actually pretty low,” said SLE Superintendent Chris Stout. However, Stout estimates the replacement cost for the items will be around $2,000. The two Bach trombones will be the most expensive to replace.
“It makes me worry a little bit more about the community more than just the school being [burglarized]. Whoever did it was either heavily intoxicated or on drugs just because of the bizarre nature of what they took and didn’t,” said Stout. Some of the things stolen included a five-year-old keyboard that only worked on one specific computer at the school and a six-pack of Dust-off. Stout said the keyboard had no resale value. He also said that the burglar(s) emptied out a refrigerator, eating the contents while they were still in the school.
Stout continued, “It’s just scary when you know those type of people are hanging out in your downtown because they are capable of anything. What’s next?”
The incident puts a little more emphasis on the need for security system for the school. Stout said the school will explore putting cameras up in addition to the current security measures in place.
“I really appreciate that everyone has been so empathetic to the situation and supportive of what a horrible thing it is for someone to come in a steal kid’s computers and music instruments,” said Stout. “But more importantly, I think we need to figure out what’s going on and how can we keep this from happening.”
As of Monday, June 13, the incident is still under investigation. To provide information please call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 406-721-4444. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward if the information leads to an arrest and/or conviction.
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