Burglars steal worthless school PCs
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

Rewards have has been offered for help to find whoever broke into the old gym at El Campo High School earlier this week, kicking in a door and making off with out-dated computers and other items.

ECHS Principal Rich DuBroc said the burglars entered the building in an unknown way then kicked in an office door, which destroyed it.

"That door is ruined," he said. "There was no forced entry on the outside of the gym. But there's windows in that gym that have been open a very long time."

Sgt. Gary Williamson of the El Campo Police Department is investigating the crime.

"There were items scattered all over the place," he said. "They're missing two computers, a duffle bag, a blanket, a cheerleading outfit, some knick-knacks, an AM/FM/ CD player, a DVD player and an ink jet printer."

DuBroc said the burglary occurred between 10 p.m. Tuesday, when the gym closed, and around 3 a.m. Wednesday, and was discovered by police.

"El Campo Police make foot patrols of the campus at night, and saw the gym door was open," he said. "Burglars should know police regularly patrol the campus at night, and do a very good job of it."

Initial estimates of the losses suffered by the school were $200 for the broken door and $2,175 in property. However, that last number went down considerably when Du- Broc found out the age of the two computers taken by the burglars.

"Most of the stuff they took here is not new," he said. "The computers were Pentium 200s, purchased in May 1998. I didn't know they were that old when I talked to police - I gave them what we'd pay for new ones."

"What I was afraid of was they got the big stereo the Derby Dolls use to dance to, but that was secured," DuBroc noted.

There was a $200 reward offered this week by the in-school version of Crime Stoppers for tips leading to the burglars.

"We had a company we contract with - that has no stake in this - match that amount, so it was a $400 reward," DuBroc said. "We've had some tips and we're doing some follow-up today."

West Wharton County Crime Stoppers is also offering a reward for tips leading to the arrest and grand jury indictment of the person or people who committed the burglary.

Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain completely anonymous. Anyone with information about this crime, or any other crime, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 543-8477.