On 03/16/2025 the Bates County Sheriff's Office received a report of a burglary at the Ballard School in Ballard, Missouri. Video evidence showed the burglary occurred around midnight on Sunday 03/16/2025.
The suspect gained entry into the school and took cash from several locations within the school. The suspect also attempted to disable lights and camera systems via a server room in the school, damaging and stealing several technology components and storage devices within that server room.
The suspect caused thousands of dollars in damage and is believed to have a very good understanding of the layout, and inner workings of the school. The suspect appeared to be a male wearing a green hoodie, blue jeans and tennis shoes. The suspect was wearing a mask and gloves at the time of the crime. The suspect also appeared to be driving a dark in color 4 door sedan.
If you recognize the person and vehicle in the attached photos or if you have information regarding this burglary, please contact Detectives at 660-679-3232. There is a $250.00 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person/persons responsible for this crime.
We also ask that if you live or have a business in the immediate area of the school and have working camera systems, that you please check them around this time frame for anything possibly related.
Detectives with the Sheriff's Office have been working with the school since the incident and there is no indication of any type of threat to the students surrounding this incident.
Sheriff Anderson says "We are working closely with school officials to resolve this case and I am confident that we will identify and find who is responsible for this crime. It is disheartening to see someone commit a crime like this at one of our schools and cause fear for the students, parents and staff."
