Nanaimo RCMP are investigating break-ins to at least three local elementary schools in the early morning hours on Monday, Feb 14. No arrests have been made. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

school break-ins

Valuables stolen from multiple Nanaimo schools during early morning break-ins

Feb 15, 2022 | 12:31 PM

NANAIMO —Police believe break-ins to several Nanaimo elementary schools early Monday morning are related incidents.

The break-ins all happened on Monday, Feb 14 between 2:30 and 4:00 a.m. at Coal Tyee, Departure Bay and Forest Park schools, according to a Nanaimo RCMP news release.

An alarm was also triggered at boarded up Cilaire Elementary School, however it’s unknown if entry was gained that school currently undergoing seismic upgrades.

The Coal Tyee break-in was the only incident in which police were called to attend.

A responding security officer saw an unknown person running from the school carrying a backpack.

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“The suspect eventually dropped the backpack and inside it, a number of laptops were found. Police were then called along with RCMP Police Dog Services. Police Dog Luthor and his handler quickly established a track and located two more laptops,” the release stated.

The assailant’s scent stopped on nearby Sun Valley Dr.

An exterior door to the Diver Lake area school was pried open. Several valuables remain missing, including computers and portable speakers.

At Departure Bay school several laptops and two portable radios were reported missing, while it’s unknown how entry was gained to the school.

During the Forest Park Elementary School B&E nothing appeared to be stolen, police said.

“These incidents are most likely related and carried out by the same people with access to a vehicle,” Cst. Gary O’Brien stated.

Anybody with information is asked to contact Nanaimo RCMP’s non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.

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