Whitehall High School - Whitehall Yearbook (Whitehall, PA)

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Bus driver Robert Buchman demonstrates the ease of breaking into an unlocked bus. Left: Trooper Eduard Kochenash points to area where burglars attempted to enter the vault to Rodney Altorfer, Owl reporter, and Mrs. Catherine Malast, secretary. burglary

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While most law abiding citizens were busy with their Thanksgiving turkey over the holiday, a few unscrupulous characters were occupied at the high school. The vault in the main office was the target of the activities of these would-be burglars. They apparently entered the building by breaking a storeroom window. Then they proceeded to the main office where they broke another window to gain entry. Using axes from the buses parked in the garage area, they hacked an eight by 15 inch hole in the wall of the vault. Tony Fassman, head custodian, was the first to discover the attempt while making rout ine check of the building. “I was shocked,” he said, “and very disappointed to see the damage they caused.” Arriving just after Mr. Fassman was Thomas Sodl, director of transportation. “The police told me the burglars had used red axes with points,” explained Mr. Sodl, “and figured they were taken from fire trucks. I replied, ‘Heck, no. Those look like axes out of our buses.” Police on the scene were able to deduce much about the crime. Police chief Victor Talotta thought the job was obviously unprofessional since the burglars appeared unprepared by the crude method in which they committed the crime Also, they were probably unfamiliar with the layout of the school as indicated by the way they traveled from point of entry to the office. Detective Michael Holubowsky conducted the invest igation of the case. “If the alarm system had functioned properly,” theorized Detective Holubowsky, we could have apprehended the thieves immediately. They were definitely after the gate receipts from the football game.” He added that he connected this offense with drug abusers. “As a result of the burglary,” stated principal Clayton Northup, “we are planning adjustments in our security operations. It was a real disappointment that the burglary even occurred and the security precautions planned and practiced apparently failed to function in the time of need.” This attempt was reminiscent of a successful break-in three years ago. In that one, 21 typewriters were stolen. Six months later, the case was solved when the thieves were apprehended and the typewriters returned. However in this crime, the end of the school term saw no justice being done. Dr. George Steckel, superintendent of the Whitehall-Coplay School District, was the first administrator on the scene. “It is most unfortunate that something like this happened,” he said. “Plans are being formulated which we hope will prevent a burglary of this type in the future.” burglary 22

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!■ l i i'-■ ji » »• Jlib Section one of Presidential Estates, a 40 million dollar building project, is in the initial stage of development. Far Right: The earth rumbles as a bulldozer levels the baseball field. Above: Plans for the new field house are now becoming reality along with stadium lights. Ground breaking ceremonies for the new Whitehall-Coplay elementary school are performed by Dr. George Steckel, superintendent, Harvey Falk, school authority, and John Lener, school board president. changes 24