Story by Chris Lawrence
HAMLIN, W.Va. — Lincoln County School officials say damage to a number of school facilities in the Hamlin area was significant after a series of break-ins over the last week.
Intruders damaged ten doors at various school facilities at Lincoln County High School and the Lion’s Club Park athletic facilities in Hamlin. The targets included the school’s new turf football stadium, soccer, softball, and baseball complexes along with concession stands at both locations.
“We have significant damage to the doors and these are commercial school doors. They are not cheap and I’m having to make a list on how many different doors have damage,” said Jerry Cremeans Director of Maintenance at Lincoln County Schools.
Investigators are looking into the break-ins which started last Friday. Along with the school property, it’s believed the same group broke into several Hamlin area churches as well.
Despite the damage and although storage facilities, press boxes, and concession stands were ransacked, Cremeans said nothing was stolen.
“They didn’t take anything that we can figure. They rummaged through everything. Stuff was laying in the floor and things pulled out, but at this point, I don’t have a report of anything missing,” he explained. “There was an I-Pad laying there in the soccer building and big speakers for the sound system, but they just rummaged.”
Law enforcement has reviewed surveillance video, but so far, it’s not been very helpful since the buildings targeted were not monitored by video at a close range. The incidents were captured on school building video which is several hundred yards away at the school. The distant images haven’t been too helpful in tracking down those responsible.