Dozens of iPads stolen from Roswell middle school

ROSWELL — Roswell police are looking for thieves who stole dozens of iPads from a local middle school.

Police told Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik someone broke into Elkins Pointe Middle School early Sunday morning through an exterior window, and stole 29 iPad minis and two computers from various classrooms.

“We’re a school, and the idea of someone coming in and taking something we use for learning is unsettling,” said Principal Melinda Springman.

Springman told Petchenik students use the technology for everything from science to music.

“There’s a lot of great things we can do with them,” she said.  “Some of our kids who don’t have technology at home -- this is one of the few ways to experience it.”

Police told Petchenik officers responded to a burglar alarm at the school about 3 a.m. Sunday and found a classroom window shattered and an unsecure door.

“Nothing looked out of place,” said Officer Lisa Holland.

Holland said it wasn’t until after school staff arrived that detectives learned about the missing electronics.

“Our detectives have some good leads to follow up on and hopefully we’ll be able to report some information on that later on,” she said.  “We don’t know right now if it’s a student, an employee or a random person who went into the school.”

Holland said police have the serial numbers for all of the stolen items, so if someone tries to pawn them, detectives should be notified.

Springman said the heist is only hurting the children.  She had this message for the thieves:

“Really think about what you did and return the items so we can get them back in kids’ hands, using them,” she said.

WSBTV