HILO — A burglar or burglars hit the Volcano School of Arts and Sciences early Tuesday morning and took about $2,500 worth of musical instruments and sound equipment from the public charter school.
Kalima Cayir, the school’s principal, said Tuesday the thief or thieves entered two rooms at the school, but left no evidence of structural damage.
“We’re still not sure how they got in, but we think that they were able to jimmy the doors somehow,” Cayir said.
Cayir said eight guitars and a portable sound system were stolen, just prior to Middle School Theater Night on Thursday.
“That was kind of the clincher this morning,” she said. “Two of the students who were supposed to play the instruments were upset, like, ‘What are we going to play?’ So we’re trying to find other instruments for them for Thursday.
“They’ve been working hard, and they’re also not able to practice again without the instruments.”
The Volcano area has experienced an uptick in property crimes, especially burglaries, since the beginning of the year. There were 15 reports of burglaries, which are break-ins of homes and businesses, in the Volcano area in the first four months of 2017, including eight in April, five more than the previous month. That compares to nine burglaries in Volcano for all of 2016.
“It feels like a violation of what our community needs to be and what we’re doing for the children,” Cayir said of the school break-in. “It’s pretty sad when people stoop low enough to want to steal at all — but to take away learning opportunities from children.”
Cayir is hoping the community will come forward to kokua.
“Donations of musical equipment, especially acoustic and electric guitars, electric bass, and also a portable sound system — any and all donations of musical eq uipment would be appreciated, absolutely,” she said.
Anyone with instruments to donate to the school can call the office at 985-9800. The school is also able to accept PayPal cash donations on its website, www.volcanoschool.net. Click on the “get involved” button to reveal the “make a gift” icon.
Capt. Samuel Jelsma, the Puna police commander, confirmed Tuesday afternoon officers are investigating, but couldn’t provide additional details.
Anyone with information about the burglary, the identity and/or whereabouts of the suspects or stolen items may call the police non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.