Naples school robbed; funds stolen
Courtesy photos This video surveillance footage of a burglar from the north hall of Naples Elementary School. Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer said he has identified a suspect in the school burglary, and that the burglar may have returned to the school in a different jacket.
Video Surveillance Footage from Naples Elementary School.
Video Surveillance Footage from Naples Elementary School.
Video Surveillance Footage from Naples Elementary School.
Video Surveillance Footage from Naples Elementary School.
Video Surveillance Footage from Naples Elementary School.
Video Surveillance Footage from Naples Elementary School.
NAPLES — In the early hours of Tuesday morning, between 12:17 and 2:46 a.m., the Naples Elementary School was burglarized.
The person who broke into the school went through every nook and cranny of the school, taking all sorts of items, like pencils, gel pens, goldfish crackers, and candy. But the most devastating item taken was the money for the students’ Schweitzer ski field trip and student council funds.
“Our initial feeling is that this is sick, awful,” said Naples Elementary School Principal Robin Merrifield. “We felt invaded and violated.”
Naples Elementary put out a Facebook post on their page on Tuesday, including photos of the suspect or suspects, and the outpouring of support from the community surprised Merrifield.
“I had no idea it would spread as quickly as it did. This community is amazing,” she said.
As of Wednesday morning, the post had been shared more than 250 times, and many people wanted to know where they could donate funds to help ensure that the children would not miss out of their ski field trip.
One of the responders to the Facebook post was Schweitzer Mountain Resort, who wrote, “Terrible news. Thank you to everyone that has reached out to Schweitzer about this awful burglary. We are in touch with the principal and will do everything we can to make sure the kids’ field trip goes as scheduled.”
Merrifield reported that Schweitzer came through with that promise, along with Idaho Forest Group. Between the two businesses, the children will be able to attend their field trip. Individuals who already donated may receive a refund, if they would like, otherwise all donations already made or that people would still like to make, will go into a scholarship to help other students who cannot afford to go on the annual field trip.
“This was an unfortunate situation with a silver lining,” said Merrifield.
As for the incident, precautions have been taken to further reinforce the safety of the school building and the students.
“We identified a suspect and have a full confession in the Naples school burglary,” said Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer around noon on Wednesday. “At this time we believe there was only one (suspect), but he had returned with a different jacket.”
The staff is also working with the students, and using the situation to teach a life lesson.
“For every unkind person, there is a thousand good people in the world,” said Merrifield, who then asked the students, “Which one would you like to be?”
Donations can be made at the Naples Elementary School Office or the Naples General Store.
UPDATE:
According to Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer, a warrant was issued on Friday afternoon for Karston Skeen, for the alleged burglary of Naples Elementary School. He was arrested a few hours later around 7 p.m.