Thieves Steal $15,000 Of Equipment From Turlock High School

TURLOCK (CBS 13) — Thieves struck a blow that could end the agriculture program at Turlock High School after $15,000 of equipment was stolen.

During the winter break, thieves made off with commercial lawn mowers, blowers, edgers, and tools from a storage shed.

Students, many with special needs, used that equipment to learn how to take care of the varsity baseball field.

"It's disheartening to see that all their hard work has been taken away from them, and the opportunity doesn't exist anymore," baseball coach Sean Gilbert said.

It's not the first time thieves have targeted the ag department. Teachers and students spent time during the Thanksgiving break to build a fence to keep burglars out.

"Before we could get that fabricated fence in place, this container was broken into," said principal Marie Peterson.

Without that equipment, students will be forced to learn the trade from inside the classroom without hands-on experience that could last a lifetime.