Burglars vandalize Barnett Elementary over Thanksgiving break

Over the Thanksgiving break, vandals caused thousands of dollars of damage at Barnett Elementary School in what the Sheriff’s Department has classified a commercial burglary.

Sheriff’s investigators estimate the damage at $10,000. That estimate could be high, Ed Anderson, maintenance and grounds supervisor for the Ramona Unified School District, said Monday afternoon, explaining district employees are trying to salvage the carpeting in the two flooded rooms used by the school’s PTA.

Workers spent 25 to 30 hours Sunday night and Monday cleaning the mess and drying out the flooded rooms and the carpet, said Anderson. Their work may save the district from having to recarpet the two rooms, but that has yet to be determined, said Anderson.

“We’re hoping the wood’s not warped,” he added.

The school district learned of the damage when a parent noticed water coming out of one of the rooms late Sunday afternoon. The Sheriff’s Department reported that the crime occurred some time between 3 p.m. Nov. 21 and 5:24 p.m. Nov. 25.

The burglar or burglars used a crowbar to gain entry, breaking a $300 glass window. Ketchup, grated cheese, and lemonade were thrown all over, and the burglar or burglars stuffed the sinks with paper, flooding the two rooms, said Anderson.

The damage was to rooms 39 and 42, two of the four portable rooms at the school at 23925 Couna Way.

Anyone with information about the crime may contact the sheriff’s Ramona station at 760-789-1200.

Among other reports filed at the sheriff’s Ramona station:

Sunday, Nov. 25

•Male, 32, cited and released for driving without a valid driver’s license in the 400 block of 14th Street.

•Male, 19, arrested, suspected of being drunk in public, 24800 block of Starlight Mountain Road.

•Tamper with vehicle incident, 24800 block of Starlight Mountain Road.

Friday, Nov. 23

•Residential burglary, 1700 block of La Brea Street. Camera, ring, drug/narcotic paraphernalia, and miscellaneous items stolen. Total value: $370.

•Female, 47, arrested, suspected of possession of controlled substance and use/under influence of controlled substance, 700 block of Etcheverry Street. Male, 49, arrested, suspected of possession of controlled substance, same location.

•Commercial burglary, Ramona Canyon RV Resort, 24300 block of State Route 78. Hand tools, power tools, garden tools, and miscellaneous items stolen. Total value: $1,765.

Wednesday, Nov. 21

•Threaten crime with intent to terrorize, 23300 block of Barona Mesa Road.

•Vehicle theft, 800 block of 11th Street. White utility truck valued at $5,000 stolen.

Tuesday, Nov. 20

•Threaten crime with intent to terrorize, 1700 block of La Brea Street.

Monday, Nov. 19

•Vehicle burglary, 15500 block of Vista Vicente Drive. Briefcase and checkbook stolen.

•Male adult, 25, missing, 200 block of West Old Julian Highway.

—Maureen Robertson