HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -
Students and teachers in Huntsville City Schools just received 17,000 new laptops for the digital curriculum this school year. But one of them is already in the hands of a thief, according to police.
Huntsville Police said someone stole a school-issued laptop at a home on Garden Park Drive Sunday morning.
Lee High School senior Emmanuel Galloway, said he and his family were at church when the burglary happened.
"A friend of mine was just here sleeping and someone walked in and stole the laptop," he said.
A police report said an unknown person entered the house and stole the laptop and two TVs.
Galloway's parents called police immediately, as advised in the computer-use contract that all parents and students must sign if they receive a laptop.
Galloway's father said he was excited about the laptops but feels less sure about it now.
"Kind of puts in your mind that maybe they needed books after all," said Christopher Galloway.
Galloway and his father, however, said they are optimistic it will be located. They said they have an idea who stole the laptop and have notified police.
"It has a security program on the computer, I understand, and I believe the will be able to locate it," Christopher Galloway said.
If it is not found, there's a possibility the parents may need to pay to replace it.
The contract states: "If the computer is lost or stolen while signed out to you, a police report must be filed immediately and the school principal must be notified. In addition, the board may require restitution of property and damages where appropriate."
The Galloways said they will receive an update on their situation from school officials on Monday.
Each laptop is installed with software that allows schools officials to disable the machine once it's reported stolen.
All school laptops are also equipped with Computrace tracking software that will help law enforcement locate it.
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Huntsville Police said someone stole a school-issued laptop at a home on Garden Park Drive Sunday morning.
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