Laveen Elementary School District mechanics work to replace batteries stolen from 11 buses over the weekend.LAVEEN, AZ (CBS5) -
Thieves took batteries from 12 of the Laveen Elementary School District buses over the weekend, causing a delay in getting students to school Monday.
District spokeswoman Karen Menge said the 12 buses represent a little more than half the district's fleet.
Each bus holds three batteries and the batteries were taken from buses while they were in the district bus parking lot at 9401 S. 51st Ave., according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
The batteries were described as CARQUEST brand "Farm & Commercial" batteries, also known as "Group 31 Batteries" Model: 31HDS30.
An MCSO spokesman said a chain-link fence was cut to gain access to the lot. Damage to the buses and the replacement cost of the batteries is estimated to be well over $3,000, the spokesman said.
The school district has been the target of numerous burglaries recently, the spokesman said.
Menge said buses were running late in picking up students, but the district had notified students and parents and expected buses to be back at 100 percent by the end of the day.
Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to call the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office at 602-876-1011 and reference Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Report #12154432.
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