An Encinitas school was broken into on Sunday night, according to police.
Ocean Knoll Elementary is the fourth North County school broken into during the last two weeks. Authorities believe that the incidents could be related.
Burglars broke an outside locked gate of the school and crashed a window, according to deputies. The suspects then entered the classroom and stole five iPads.
School employees said they were surprised it was robbed as there are multiple security measures in place.
“The campus is lit at night, every classroom has a security burglar alarm,” said school facilities director Gerry Devitt.
Officials believe the burglars were attempting to steal iPads, similar to three earlier incidents.
Last week, Skyline Elementary in Solana Beach was robbed when burglars stole 24 laptops worth $36,000. Prior to that, iPads had been stolen from Ada Harris Elementary School and Cardiff Elementary School during the holiday break.
Jan Caldwell with the sheriff's department said thieves have been stealing Apple products, such as iMacs and iPads, from schools. She said at least a dozen schools have been hit since Thanksgiving, in Carlsbad, Poway, Lakeside, Solana Beach and Encinitas.
"We think probably more than $200,000 in product has been stolen at this point," Caldwell said.
While the sheriff's department said the incidents have been similar, it's too early to say whether they're connected.
Officials said that Ocean Knoll Elementary is adding patrols to its security this week and is working with the sheriff’s department. No students were injured during any of the incidents.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's department.
