‘Please stop’: Thousands of dollars worth of copper gutters stolen from Waldo preschool

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Stealing is already bad enough, but thieves in Waldo are taking it to another level.

Over the past several days, they’ve stolen thousands of dollars in copper gutters.

The thefts have been happening at Rainbow School in Waldo.

Deena Smith is the school’s executive director and said the same routine has repeated for the past seven days.

“At least six or seven times individuals have come on our property, stealing the downspouts of our gutter system,” Smith said. “We do not have deep pockets here to take care of these things regularly.”

Smith said over five gutters have been stolen, and it would cost the school over $3,000 to have them all replaced.

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She has posted signs on every gutter remaining, pleading that thieves stop stealing. So far, it hasn’t deterred them.

Police have gotten involved and are actively investigating the situation. The culprits are believed to drive a dark-colored Dodge Journey with a Missouri license plate.

Smith said she hopes the madness will stop soon, but is worried the price tag will continue to climb.

“You have given us enough headaches and we need to move forward with our programming and the good things that we do here,” Smith said. “We don’t need these kinds of issues.”

If you have any information about this case, you’re asked to call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

The school is also asking for donations to replace the stolen gutters.

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