Band trailer stolen from Fairborn High School

A new 24-foot trailer the Fairborn High School marching band used to transport equipment was stolen from the high school over the weekend, sending the band and music boosters scrambling to make other accommodations before the first band competition of the year.

“Who does that?” said Trish Turkette, a parent and vice president of the music club. “And they cut the bolts off. It’s not like it was just sitting there.”

The trailer, valued at $5,000 and reported stolen to Fairborn police Monday morning, was taken from an area behind Fairborn High School, located at 900 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd. The enclosed trailer didn’t have any band equipment stored in it at the time it was taken, according to police Sgt. Paul Hicks. White in color, the trailer does not boast any markings or logos.

“It’s not like it visibly says it belongs to the marching band,” Hicks said, adding there are no suspects in the case and it’s unclear whether school security cameras captured the crime.

The trailer was a prized possession for the relatively small marching band of 47 members, Turkette said. It had only been in the band’s possession for six weeks and was purchased anonymously by a Fairborn resident.

It was used for the first time on Friday to take equipment to Beavercreek High School for a football game.

“We don’t have a lot of money for this music program,” Turkette said. “It’s fundraiser after fundraiser. And we’ve never had a trailer to haul equipment before.”

The marching band’s first competition of the year is in Mason on Oct. 13. Transportation of equipment — including props for a “Little Red Riding Hood” themed show — are questionable.

In the past Turkette said her family’s box truck was used to transport equipment. Now, however, it isn’t big enough to accommodate the new props.

“It’s sad,” she said. “It’s really sad.”

The trailer’s license plate number is STQ8724, according to police. Anyone with information is asked to contact Fairborn officers at (937) 754-3067.

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