With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Pasadena school still missing over 50 instruments
Marshall Fundamental Secondary School in Pasadena had about $15,000 worth of musical instruments and other equipment stolen from the school's music room.
(
Mary Plummer/KPCC
)
Listen
0:47
Pasadena school still missing over 50 instruments
Just two instruments have been located, Pasadena police said Tuesday. The majority of instruments taken from Marshall Fundamental Secondary School remain missing.
Pasadena Unified officials thought their troubles might be over after Los Angeles County sheriffs recovered some of the instruments stolen in a recent school burglary .
But it turns out, just two instruments have been found, Pasadena police said Tuesday. Over 50 instruments from Marshall Fundamental Secondary School remain missing.
RELATED: Thieves steal Pasadena instruments as district aims to ramp up music program
A thief or thieves broke into the school's music room about a week ago and made off with about $15,000 worth of flutes, trombones, saxophones, guitars and bass amps — some of which belonged to students.
Sponsored message
Altadena sheriff's station deputies spotted a man rummaging through a Mercedes-Benz station wagon March 3 on East Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, but when they told him to walk toward them, he ran. The deputies gave chase and were unable to catch him, the sheriff's office said.
Police told reporters that one saxophone and one flute were recovered in the station wagon. A television and some audio equipment were also found. Other items believed stolen in crimes unrelated to the school burglary were also located in the station wagon.
Police said their investigation is continuing.
At Marshall on Tuesday, students were playing with what instruments they had. Some students, however, were sitting out the practice.
The school has raised about $20,000 in community donations to replace the stolen instruments. School officials said they can still use more help to purchase items like upgraded storage cabinets to better secure district instruments.
Even before the burglary, the school lacked instruments for all of its 350 music students. Sharing instruments is a common practice at the school, according to Jane Bradford, president of the parent group Marshall Music Boosters.
"We don't have the money or the space," Bradford said.
Sponsored message
Bradford said the school has been overwhelmed by the generosity of the community. Most donations have come in through an ongoing online fundraising effort .
"It's extremely touching," she said.
Bradford estimated that the school needs about $50,000 to fully restore the music program and buy new storage.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
