Thieves strike the Agoura High School campus
by Lior Ayalon
On Sept. 6, 2012 there was a break-in on the Agoura High School campus. After trying to force open the door to the computer lab in C-2, the culprits broke into room C-10, which houses computer-based classes such as animation and AP computer science, at approximately 3:30 AM. Nine Mac computers, valued at over $1400 each, were stolen. Police blocked off the classroom all day as to prevent students from interfering with the scene of the crime and look for possible clues.
Kent Silveira, who teaches animation, web design, and video game design, was upset at the loss of valuable equipment, but noted that it could have been much worse if the robbery had occurred a year from now. Silveira said, “My students could have lost months of hard work. That would have been the real loss. Equipment can be replaced.” And if there’s anything to be learned from this situation, Silveira said “buy a flash drive and always back up your work! Always!”
Silveira said that more than anything, he was frustrated, especially by the possibility that the culprit could have been a student. “Getting a good education is the best opportunity we can provide for our youth. For a student, stealing from school is like stealing from yourself.” AHS Principal Larry Misel said “I like to think that AHS students respect our campus. I’m really hoping it was not a student.”
In the future, more serious security measures will be taken, to protect the AHS campus from further instances of criminal activity. However, Misel said that he does not want to have to start closing off the school at night and during weekends. “Agoura High School is different from other schools.We have a beautiful, open campus that is the flagship of our community and it would be a shame to have to close it off.”
A $5000 reward is being offered for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the responsible culprits. If you have any information, contact the Las Virgenes Unified School District at (818) 880-4000 or the Lost Hills Sheriff’s station at (818) 878-1800. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.
