By Shaylyn Austin
News Editor
and Taylor St. Germain
News Editor
Three unknown suspects stole 59 iPads on Jan. 26 from two fifth-grade classrooms at Pacific Elementary School at 4:45 a.m.
The students were informed of the robbery, but no suspects have been arrested. The Manhattan Beach Police Department has released three images of the suspects captured by Pacific’s on-campus security cameras.
“Pacific Principal Kim Linz called and emailed the students’ parents on Sunday to inform them about the theft and visited each fifth grade classroom to answer questions,” Manhattan Beach Unified School District Executive Director of Educational Services Carolyn Seaton said on behalf of Linz. “It is disheartening that people would steal this learning tool from children.”
Seaton estimates that the stolen iPads will cost the district approximately $25,000.
“Replacement iPads have already been ordered,” Seaton said. “Dr. Rick Bagley, deputy superintendent of administrative services, is working with our insurance to determine what percentage of the cost is covered.”
Stephanie Hubbard and Michelle Krzmarzick were the two teachers whose classrooms were broken into.
“This situation makes us realize how much we love our iPads,” Hubbard said. “We are still able to get work done but are grateful for the replacements.”
Pacific students, though disappointed, are remaining positive. “My teacher wrote on a whiteboard, ‘It’s a bummer but…’ and we had to talk about good things we still have,” fifth grader Derek Svensson said. “I’m excited to get new iPads soon, though.”
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