RCMP recover 21 laptops stolen from B.C. school, still searching for thief 'stealing from kids'
Mounties recovered 21 stolen laptops over the weekend, but dozens more remain unaccounted for after two separate break-ins at an elementary school in Kamloops, B.C., earlier this month.
Kamloops RCMP said more than a third of the stolen Chromebooks were discovered inside a plastic bin at a parking lot in the city's North Shore neighbourhood on Friday.
While they're relieved to have recovered a portion of the laptops, officers are reminding the community that there are still nearly three dozen laptops missing.
The Chromebooks, valued at thousands of dollars in total, were taken from Parkcrest Elementary near Holt Street and Greenfield Avenue during break-ins on Jan. 3 and 11.
"In the Jan. 11 investigation, it was not immediately known if anything was taken or if entry into the building had been obtained," said Const. Crystal Evelyn in a news release.
After taking further inventory of the school, police discovered that in addition to the initial 30 Chromebooks stolen, another 24 were taken, along with six iPads, a camcorder and various other electronics.
"Obviously, whoever broke in and stole from a school knew they were stealing from kids," added Evelyn. "It's important that anyone who knows who has the outstanding items or who is responsible for the break-ins, does the right thing and contacts police as soon as possible."
This isn't the first time students at Parkcrest Elementary have faced adversity.
In 2019, the school burned to the ground during the first week of classes.
Anyone with information related to the stolen laptops is asked to contact Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 and reference file 2022-431 or 2022-1025.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.