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Thieves vandalize Fort Smith school

Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Fort Smith (Feb 02/04) - A Fort Smith school has been hit hard by thieving vandals.

The break-in at Paul William Kaeser high school resulted in thousands of dollars in damages and stolen items.



PWK high school principal Al Karasiuk was pleased with the RCMP's investigation of a break-in at the school. The police recovered this laptop, which was stolen from Karasiuk's office. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo


Five boys -- ranging in age from 12 to 14 -- have been charged with break, enter and theft over $5,000 and mischief to property causing over $5,000 in damages.

"This was a brutal case of vandalism and theft," said Cpl. Duncan Babchuk of the Fort Smith RCMP Detachment.

Thieves entered the school sometime between 8 p.m. on Jan. 24, and 11 a.m. on Jan. 25.

Access was gained to the building through a main door. An initial police investigation found the door may have been left open.

Forced entry was made into the general office, the principal's office, a couple of classrooms, a canteen and close to 100 student lockers.

The thieves used bolt cutters to break into the lockers and threw contents into the hall.

"It was just a mess," said Babchuk noting the thieves also sprayed graffiti on walls.

They also unsuccessfully tried to break open a safe in the principal's office.

The most expensive item stolen was a laptop computer from the principal's office. It was later recovered.

Babchuk said other items stolen included contents of lockers, such as CDs and disk players. Chocolate bars and potato chips were taken from the canteen.

Jarring experience

PWK principal Al Karasiuk said the break-in was a jarring experience for staff and students.

"We certainly felt violated. I guess anger crept in afterwards."

Karasiuk complimented the RCMP on the investigation, and the Department of Works and Services for repairing damage.

Karasiuk said the break-in was very unusual for the school. "I think the whole community and the students have shown vast displeasure about it."

Back to school

Babchuk said two of the accused are students at PWK. The three others did not go to school.

"That's another issue -- why are those kids not in school?" Babchuk said.

One of the conditions of their release is they must attend school regularly.

Babchuk noted some students who had items stolen have gone to the homes of the accused looking for their property. He advises victims to let the police deal with the matter.

"We will recover as much as we can."

The accused will appear in Youth Court on Mar. 18.