Texas Department of Criminal Justice canine officers with tracking dogs joined BPD investigators in looking for evidence at the scene of a burglary at Moreno Middle School Tuesday morning.
Gary Kent photo
Gary Kent photo
Scattered Christmas decorations, an open drawer and spilled pens show some of the damage caused by burglars who struck Moreno Middle School early Tuesday morning.
Gary Kent photo
A broken window in a classroom door shows how people gained entry into locked rooms during a burglary early Tuesday morning at the Moreno Middle School. Investigators with the Beeville Police Department said photo evidence shows four males breaking into 13 classrooms, four offices, a closet and the school cafeteria.
The burglars caused extensive damage in several rooms, according to Detective Lt. Richard Cantu.
“They took laptops from classrooms and chips and drinks from machines,” the detective said.
Police believe the burglars broke out a classroom window to gain access to the building. Then they went on an apparent rampage, breaking out narrow windows in classroom doors and reaching inside to unlock the rooms.
Computers and printers were knocked to the floor, pens and papers were scattered and other items were strewn over the floors of the targeted rooms.
Cantu said surveillance photos showed that all four intruders wore masks, hoodies and gloves to hide their identities.
The vandals struck 13 classrooms, knocking over computer equipment and desks as they searched for valuable items.
They also broke into four offices, including the main office complex, and then broke into a closet and even the school cafeteria.
Cantu said investigators do not suspect students were involved and it appears the classrooms were picked at random. All the classroom damage was limited to the 300 and 400 wings of the building.
The detective said it is believed that the burglars entered the building sometime between 2 and 3:30 a.m.
Police brought in bloodhound tracking dogs and handlers from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to assist in the investigation.
One of the dogs was able to track the path that the burglars had taken as they approached and left the school.
Anyone who might have information as to the identities of the burglars may qualify for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if that information leads to an arrest.
To receive a reward, witnesses should contact the Coastal Bend Crime Stoppers organization at 362-0206 or call toll-free to (877) 362-0206.
Computer users may contact the Crime Stoppers organization at coastalbendcrimestoppers.com.
No witness will have to be identified to collect a reward.
Gary Kent is a reporter at the Bee-Picayune and can be reached at 358-2550, ext. 120, or at reporter@mySouTex.com.
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