Theft at musical's final rehearsal

Eight pit members of "Once Upon a Mattress" were burglarized on Thursday, March 10 in the band room during the final rehearsal for the musical.

The theft occurred between 3:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. when the pit members were practicing, said instrumental music teacher Dustin Doyle. Articles stolen included cash, wallets, driving permits and credit cards, according to Doyle. Perpetrators sifted through approximately 20 backpacks, leaving all 20 opened when finished. "[The burglars] did a pretty thorough job of cleaning our stuff out," commented junior Minh Huynh-Le. "Everybody's backpack was open, completely devoid of cash."

Because of the constant movement of students between the auditorium and band room, Doyle was unsure of how the theft transpired. "There's always a constant flow of actors and actresses. Sometimes the actors come in here and warm up," Doyle explained. "There are [usually] eyes all around to watch, but it didn't work out that way [this time]."

Huynh-Le believes several people must have been involved in taking the items from the backpacks. "I'm assuming there's more than one person and that they waited until we were practicing," she said.

Doyle also recognized the possibility that one of the cast and/or pit members of "Once Upon a Mattress" could have stolen the articles. "It could be anybody, but it would be disheartening if it was someone within the group," he said.

Huynh-Le, who lost her wallet, which had her credit card and about $100, also became a victim of identify theft. After the robbery, perpetrators went on a shopping spree at Abercrombie and Fitch and GAP using Huynh-Le's credit card. "Apparently, when my dad called to cancel [the credit card], they asked 'if your daughter did any shopping that day,'" said Huynh-Le. "They said they charged a bunch of money." Huynh-Le and her family will not have to pay for the charges spent on the credit card.

Doyle reinforced the measures that the administration took to recover the money and identify the perpetrators. "Incidence reports are being filed and questions are being asked," he said.