APS school robbed during recess

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Albuquerque Public Schools Police are investigating a burglary at an elementary school that happened while the kids were in the yard for recess.

Some of the students reported seeing a strange man walking through Whittier Elementary School near San Mateo and Kathryn last Thursday. Parents are upset they didn't get a letter about a possible school intruder.

"When I pick him up from school we always go through the day, what happened during the day and that just happened to come up," said parent Allison Shaw. "I was like, 'What? How did this happen and why?'"

According to a police report, someone used a pipe wrench or a similar tool to break in to a locked portable to steal two laptops during recess. Students on the playground told police they saw an adult male wearing a heavy jacket.

"I was just shocked and appalled that anyone can walk up and snatch a kid without anybody knowing," said Shaw. "Not any newsletter, I just had to find out from my child."

It is APS policy to send home a letter to parents whenever there's an intruder on campus, according to a district spokeswoman. That didn't happen in this case, so News 13 asked if it was an actual intruder or a possible inside job. APS officials said they did not want to comment on the investigation.

School thefts are nothing new for APS. The district was out about $260,000 worth of equipment, mostly computers, last school year. A lot of those thefts were inside jobs, according to APS sources. District officials recently reminded teachers they are not supposed to leave electronics and other pricey items in portables.

APS Police have not made an arrest in last week's theft.