Teenagers stole over $40,000 worth of calculators from Bronx high schools

Police said Monday a group of teenagers stole more than $40,000 worth of calculators from Bronx high schools in a burglary that lasted more than a month.

Teenagers aged 15 to 18 also damaged at least $15,000 worth of property in nine incidents.

They first hit the New York Chartered High School of Architecture, Engineering and Building on Brook Avenue near Third Avenue in Melrose around 2:25 am on February 6, police said.

Two teenagers climbed the fire escape and broke into the school, searching the second and third floors. They fled with $6,900 worth of calculators.

They lay there for almost two weeks until February 19, when the group of burglars increased by two people.

They broke into the Bronx Regional High School at the corner of Stebbins Avenue and E. 170th Street in Longwood around 2:35 am and stole $1,465 worth of calculators.

Morris Middle School in Morrisania was attacked on two consecutive days, on February 24 and 25, police said.

The crew then broke into Mott Haven Village Preparatory High School around 1:20 am on March 1 before returning later that night around 10:30 pm, police said.

They fled with $28,120 worth of calculators to the South Bronx campus, where they smashed the entrances with bricks to gain access.

On March 5, they returned to Morris High School around 4:36 a.m. and smashed a cafeteria window with a brick, as well as smashing glass throughout the building with a hammer, causing them more than $15,000 in property damage.

Hours earlier, they had destroyed a $300 lock at the South Bronx Charter School in Morrisania, police said.

In none of the burglaries did they steal school property.

Police say the last time the teens stabbed, they broke into Legacy College Prep High School on Caldwell Avenue, near E. 160th Street, around 3 a.m. last Tuesday.

After breaking the glass door of the classroom to get into the school, they stole about $6,000 worth of calculators.

No one was hurt in any of the thefts.

Police are still looking for the teenagers and are asking the public for help in identifying them. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.