SIMI VALLEY : Musical Instruments Stolen from School

The theft of nearly $14,000 worth of musical equipment from a Simi Valley High School storage room, which apparently occurred shortly after the Northridge earthquake, went undetected until a recent year-end inventory, authorities said.

Three French horns, two oboes, an amplifier and various drum accessories were taken from the school’s unlocked music room sometime between Jan. 17 and 24, said Lt. Mark Layhew of the Simi Valley Police Department.

However, the burglary was not reported to the police until June 15 because the school’s records and inventory were in shambles, Layhew said.

The damaged high school was closed for nearly two months after the earthquake.

The instruments were not in high demand because of low enrollment in the music program, school officials.

“We did not have great security at the school,” said instrumental-music director Larry Elginer.

The alarm system was not working after the quake and some campus buildings were left unlocked during repairs, school officials said.

The stolen instruments were the latest blow for the high school, which is still trying to recover from the earthquake, Assistant Supt. Susan C. Parks said.

“It is very disheartening. Part of you hopes that when everything is put back in place they’ll show up,” she said, adding that she was unsure whether the district’s insurance would cover the stolen instruments.