THIEVES STRIKE FOUR MORONGO BASIN SCHOOLS, DO EXTENSIVE DAMAGE

Thieves struck four schools in Yucca Valley, Yucca Mesa, and Landers Tuesday night. Employees reported Wednesday morning that thieves had broken into the electrical room at Onaga Elementary School and Yucca Mesa Elementary Schools and stole thousands of dollars’ worth of copper wiring from each location. In addition, damage was reported at Landers Elementary School and Yucca Valley High School. The range of destruction included graffiti, damage to three portable classrooms, and the theft of a security camera and two children’s bicycles. At Landers Elementary School, the thieves broke into a gated patio and stole bags filled with cans and bottles destined for recycling, and a propane tank. The school district’s maintenance crews work hard during the schools’ “minimum day” on Wednesday to repair the electricity in the areas and rooms that were without due to the vandalism; however, the rain on Thursday delayed some of the repairs. Deputies are working on leads discovered from the schools’ surveillance systems. Anyone with information should call the Sheriff’s Department at 760-366-4175.