AHWATUKEE, AZ — Two sound systems, several keyboards, laptops, iPads, and even jewelry were stolen from a Valley non-profit that helps kids and teens express their creative sides.
Michele Rubino, Executive Director at the Ahwatukee Children's Theatre, says the non-profit was burglarized Sunday night and is now out more than $10,000 worth of equipment.
Some, an integral part of their every day work with kids, as many prepare for their opening night of Mary Poppins Jr.
There are broken ceiling tiles, wires hanging from the ceiling, and the door was forced open with a crowbar.
“I broke into tears because it was so overwhelming to just see the mess," she said. "It wasn’t even so much what was taken, it was more how our stuff was treated. Every cabinet was open, every door was open and things were just on the floor.”
Rubino says whoever broke in used the crowbar to pry open the back door of the building, leading them right to the main rehearsal room. The stolen sound system was wired through the ceiling.
"What they did is they just kept pulling the wires. So, when we came in yesterday, the ceiling was on the floor," added Rubino.
She filed a police report, and is working with the organization's insurance company, but have already received more than $4,000 in donations on their online fundraising page.
"It’s because we care about this place," said Jack Walton, who is cast as "Bert" in the upcoming musical production.
