Police: $30,000 worth of equipment stolen from middle school

ATHENS, Ga. - Athens-Clark County Police want to know who stole $30,000 in equipment from Coile Middle School in Athens.

Investigators said someone got away with 60 iPads, music equipment, gardening, and art supplies from the building. School leaders reported the theft on July 16.

“We're very troubled that someone would take advantage of the situation that we were improving the situation for our children,” said Mary Wickwire with Clarke County Schools.

Officers recovered some of the stolen items while serving a search warrant. Someone who bought an iPad that had been stolen. That person passed along the address where the purchase was made. That's how investigators said they made the find.

Wickwire said the school's insurance policy will cover the items, but it's the principle.

Classes begin August 7. The school hopes to have the items replaced in time for students' arrival.