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Sheriff looking for suspect in Bethel Elementary break in

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Investigators with the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office are seeking the public’s assistance with identifying a person who broke into Bethel Elementary School in evening hours of Monday, Nov. 13.

At just around 4 a.m. Tuesday, deputies responded to a call from a school custodian reporting the school had been broken into. The custodian told deputies the person had pried open the door to the main office as well as to the principal’s office.

After clearing all floors of the school, the person responsible was not located.

Surveillance video showed a male forcing entry into the building at approximately 8 p.m. Monday.

The video also showed the person was in the building in excess of 2 hours, breaking into various rooms, desks and machines.

The male was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and kept the hood up and tied tight around his face the entire time he was in the building.

School staff estimates the damage to be around $7,500 and items missing include a small amount of cash and other small items.

At this time a suspect vehicle has not been identified.

If you have any details about this incident please contact Haywood County Sheriff’s Office Detectives at (828) 452-6666 or the Crimestoppers anonymous tip line 1-877-92CRIME