A Friday afternoon theft left members of Hillsborough’s Big Red Band wondering who would steal their bags, wallets, cell phones and other personal items.

And then it got worse.

The following Monday, Aug. 22, student musicians suffered another loss when somebody returned to the auditorium, this time to steal and destroy instruments used by members of the school’s orchestra.

“It was just vindictive and mean spirited,” said music teacher Kim Mieder. “A $5,000 bass, $2,000 cello and many personal instruments were ruined. They destroyed everything they put their hands on. It was out of anger and very hateful.”

The incidents occurred in the unsecured auditorium, as the band/orchestra room was under renovation. Mieder said the lack of doors on the auditorium left the musical instruments and possessions vulnerable to intruders.

When Mieder and students returned to school Aug. 22, they found the destroyed instruments. Broken cellos and basses were strewed along the stage. Personal instruments were gone.

It was a stunning beginning of a week for Mieder, who ended the previous week with the initial theft.

“After the 3-5 practice on Friday, all of the bags were ransacked and opened,” said drum major Amy Cheng. “Purses, cell phones and calculators were missing. Some were found in the boys bathroom with cash missing but some bags were just plain gone.”

The band and orchestra have since moved back into their newly renovated rooms, which band member Marcus Wynn said is “like our home after school.”

Tampa Police identified a suspect Sept. 1 and issued a warrant for the arrest of 22-year-old William Slocum.

According to the St. Petersburg Times, police received a tip from witnesses who claimed Slocum bragged about the theft and mentioned the whereabouts of several of the stolen instruments.

This helped the police find and retrieve some of the stolen goods. Although he is a suspect, the police ask that anyone with information about Slocum’s whereabouts contact Tampa Police at (813) 276-3200.

The thefts drew media coverage for Hillsborough, and that attracted the attention of one prominent Tampa resident. New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner donated $10,000 for the school.

Allstate Construction, which is doing the Hillsborough renovations, matched that amount and a local law firm added another $5,000.

Drum major John Brown said new instruments have been ordered and, “Nothing is going to bring us down. We’re still the Big Red Band.”