FLORENCE, AL (WAFF) -
Investigators said thieves broke into Wilson School and stole 10 laptops, several iPads, and other items from the computer lab.
The stolen technology is valued between $15,000 and $20,000. The thieves also broke several windows, leaving behind two hammers and a pair of broken scissors at the scene.
Officials said all of the stolen items were in the school's access computer lab next to the library.
They believe the crooks tried to smash in a locked container in the room, but were unsuccessful.
Deputies said school janitors reported the break-in around 5 a.m. Tuesday after they arrived on campus.
This is the second school this week to have been burglarized in the Shoals. Investigators said an outside concession stand at Rogers School was also broken into. The offenders got away with several items there.
"The schools, they have a hard enough time with funding to buy equipment with things they need for the students, and then to have somebody come in and take that from them. This is the second school this week that we've had something taken from, so this is alarming for us, and we're trying to find out who it is," said Richard Richey with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department.
At this point, authorities have not said if the two crimes are connected.
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Thieves broke windows to gain access.
The computers were stolen from the school's computer lab.
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