Thief Steals Van from Hearing Impaired School in Shoreline

A van used by deaf children who attend the Northwest School for Hearing-Impaired Children on Westminster Way in Shoreline was stolen last weekend causing a hardship for the school and the students.

The thieves used a knife or a screwdriver to open a people door to the garage housing the school's five vans. They used bolt cutters to cut open a lockbox to get emergency keys and took a 2000 gray Chevy Astro van, named Mystery, with 15,000 miles on it that seats eight.

"It was our best van," said Peggy Mayer, the head of school. 

The school uses its vans to take students on a wide range of field trips to local libraries and the Seattle Children's Theatre, KOMO reported Thursday. Students learn sign language at the school and often visit other schools such as King's Elementary where they take classes and interact with students who can hear. 

Mayer said the school's been in Shoreline for 30 years and nothing like this has happened before.

Shoreline Police took a report but the van has not been recovered yet.

Now the school is waiting to hear from its insurance company. "It's hard without it," since all 40 students at the school use the vans, Mayer said. 

Besides the van, the thief also stole a half-dozen car seats and various supplies, KOMO reported. The school is hoping to get them replaced.

If you want to help out call the school at 206-364-4605.