ELY – The Ely Police Department is investigating a burglary at Memorial High School last Friday night and attempted break-ins Friday morning at Zup’s and Northland Market.

According to a press release from the Ely Police Department, squads responded to a security alarm at the school at about 11:30 p.m.  They found entry had been made to the building, damage done to the building, and items taken.  Police did not disclose the extent of damage or the items taken, as the investigation is ongoing.

ISD 696 Superintendent Alexis Leitgeb said Wednesday that a suspect may have been identified. The Ely Police Department did not provide more information by the Timberjay’s deadline.

Leitgeb updated school board members on the incident during their regular meeting Monday night.

“We had a break-in to several classrooms and several offices,” Leitgeb said. “It was very targeted, we believe, for money. It was targeted in classrooms that money was thought to have been collected or had been there. What they did is break out one glass pane so they could reach in and turn the doorknob,” she said. The would-be burglar or burglars were scared away after the alarm went off.

“Mary (McGrane, high school principal) and I spent a lot of time on this today,” Leitgeb said. “It was Mr. Lah’s classroom, Mr. Ivancich’s room and (the classrooms of) Mr. Braff and Mrs. Hart.” She speculated that those teachers have been known to collect money from students for various projects.

“The also broke into the kitchen, according to Leitgeb. “They ate snacks down there. All the Pop Tarts are gone,” she said. “Somebody had the munchies Friday night.”

She said the principal’s office and district office were also broken into. The bookkeeper’s office was not locked. “Once they broke into the main office, they had access to everything,” she said. “We are looking for the skeleton keys that will lock the dividing door into my office and the door into the business area. In addition, we are looking at changing or fixing locks so the Connie (Ojala)’s door will lock at night.”

In addition, the administrative staff will now prohibit any cash from being left in the building at nighttime. “It will be put safely in the vault. We will let students know and will make it very public that there is no cash in this building,” Leitgeb said.

There was no vandalism except for the damage incurred in getting into the classrooms, she said. “We think it was strictly for money,” she said, “There were computers and i-Pads left behind. Nothing was taken. Nothing was damaged.”

School director Amy Richter questioned the effectiveness of the new alarm system recently installed in the school. “Why did it seem like it took so long (for law enforcement response) if they were able to get into eight rooms?” she asked. “What happened?”

Leitgeb said that information is part of the investigation. “We feel we know,” she said. “The alarm system went off at the appropriate time and it was responded to appropriately, but the other information I don’t think I should share.”

She said, “The security cameras (recording) were reviewed and we did not catch anything. We’re meeting with (the security company) this week and will be looking at putting in more motion detectors or internal cameras.” The exterior cameras are tied into the security system but the interior cameras are not.

Many board members expressed concerns about rumors around town that the security cameras are not working properly. “Everything is functioning properly,” Leitgeb said.

When asked if the break-in originated from outside the building, Leitgeb said, “There are no windows or doors that were broken, so I don’t want to comment any further.”

Break-in attempts had also been reported at Ely’s two local grocery stores early Friday morning.  Glass was shattered, but no one had entered the buildings, according to the press release. Law enforcement officials did not provide any additional details.

They ask anyone with information to call 218-365-3222, extension 2.