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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Police: 58 laptops stolen from Evergreen Elementary

From staff reports
Dozens of laptop computers were stolen during an overnight burglary at Evergreen Elementary School in Mead earlier this week, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said. Spokane County Sheriff’s deputies have recovered 52 of the 58 stolen laptops, according to a news release this afternoon. Three brothers, aged 8, 14, and 15, have admitted they were involved in the theft. One additional suspect has yet to be contacted by deputies. A janitor at the school reported two alarms overnight Monday into Tuesday, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release. Neither of the alarms turned up evidence of a burglary. But when school officials arrived Tuesday morning for work, they discovered 58 MacBook Air laptop computers missing from two classrooms, according to the release. Deputies found no evidence of forced entry into the school or classrooms. The Mead School District estimates losses at more than $69,000. Three boys were reported missing roughly around the time of the burglary Monday night, the Sheriff’s Office said. They were contacted and initially denied involvement, though the boys’ mother called the deputy to return and 52 laptops were discovered at the residence. The brothers admitted their guilt to police. Deputies are looking for the remaining six machines. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about the theft to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS or online at crimestoppersinlandnorthwest.org. A cash reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.