The Turlock High School Agricultural Education Department was recently the victim of its third theft this school year. This theft was perhaps the most brazen yet, as the thief or thieves stole $5,000 worth of small engines from a storage container on campus.
THS Principal Marie Peterson and Ag Department Chair Chad Russell are reaching out to the community for help.
“Without these engines we will not be able to run this class next year,” Peterson said. “Both our Ag trailers and a student project were also vandalized with the wiring removed.”
The theft has some students returning to school, despite the holiday vacation, to help the Ag department.
“This week—over Thanksgiving break—our Ag Department chair Chad Russell and several THS students will be fabricating a fence to help better secure this area,” Peterson said.
In previous thefts a large barbecue and $500 worth of equipment needed for the THS Environmental Horticulture class were stolen.
The small engines are used in an introductory course for the operation, construction, maintenance, repair and adjustments of two-stroke and four-stroke engines. The course is designed specifically for students with no prior experience in small power equipment.
Aimee Russell created a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for the Turlock High School Ag Department. As of today, the effort has raised $600 of the hopeful $5,000.
To contribute toward the fundraising goal, go to the link www.gofundme.com/5j0fpk and donate.
If anyone has information on the theft please call Turlock police at (209) 668-5550, or THS at (209) 667-2055. Anonymous tips can be left by calling Crime Stoppers, 1-866-60-CRIME.
