$260K In Damage From Copper Theft, Vandalism At Sonoma County School: Police

SANTA ROSA, CA — Copper theft and vandalism caused an estimated $260,000 in damage at a closed Santa Rosa elementary school, where police are searching for three suspects who were seen on campus, authorities said.

Santa Rosa police responded to Steele Lane Elementary School at 301 Steele Lane at about 10:46 a.m. on Wednesday after receiving a burglary report. The campus, part of Santa Rosa City Schools, has been closed since June.

School staff arrived at about 8:55 a.m. and encountered three people on the grounds. The individuals were told to leave and complied, according to police. During a subsequent inspection, staff discovered extensive damage consistent with copper wire theft and later saw the same suspects leaving the area with containers that may have held stolen wiring.

More California News:

• Sinkhole Swallows Spectrum Van Amid Water Main Break: Reports
• OC MAGA Firebrand Draws Scrutiny As New White House Press Secretary
• Selma Blair Accused Of Assaulting Flight Attendants, Police Officer, Nurse: Reports

Police believe around 5,000 feet of copper wire was taken from the campus.

Electrical systems in one classroom building were heavily damaged after wiring was cut and copper was stripped from multiple panels. Repairs to that building are estimated to cost $100,000, police said.

Another $150,000 in damage was reported at the main office complex, where electrical wiring and copper components were removed from rooftop systems and air conditioning units.

Inside the school library, books, furniture and electronic equipment, including a television and printer, were destroyed. A door had also been forced open. Damage to the library is estimated at $10,000.

Detectives with the Santa Rosa Police Department’s Property Crimes Investigations Team have taken over the investigation. Police have not determined whether the library vandalism is connected to the copper theft.

The suspects were described as two adult women and an adult man who uses a wheelchair. When they were seen leaving the campus, one woman was pushing the wheelchair while the other was riding a bicycle. Police said they were working to obtain photographs of the suspects.