HARTFORD -- Cigna Corporation is stepping up to donate 35 laptops to replace those that were stolen over the weekend from the Culinary Arts Academy at Weaver High School.
“I’m very grateful to Cigna for stepping up quickly and generously to support Hartford’s students,” Mayor Luke Bronin said. “Digital skills are a critical component of 21st century learning, and Cigna’s commitment today will allow for continuity of learning for our students with little disruption. I also want to commend our Hartford police officers who are working diligently to identify the suspects in this case.”
Officers were called to the school around 8:30 a.m. Sunday, January 10. They found 35 MacBook Air laptops had been removed from their charging cables and stolen. Surveillance video showed two men with a pair of bolt cutters forcing open a door to the school. From there, they broke into the principal's office by destroying an internal window and ceiling tiles.
The computers are valued at more than $35,000, and are all silver, 11.6 inches and have the model number #A1465. Each computer has a Hartford Public Schools asset inventory barcode sticker and number written in black marker.
It was later reported that the thieves tried to break into the Boys & Girls Club, located at 170 Sigourney St., about six hours earlier. They shattered an interior glass door and office window, but couldn't steal anything valuable, so they moved on.
"We are grateful to Cigna for being a committed community partner and neighbor for Hartford Public Schools and thank them for their generosity,” said Superintendent Beth Schiavino-Narvaez.
Mark Boxer, Cigna's executive vice president and global chief information officer, issued a statement saying in part, "We know that health for children in the City of Hartford often times starts with education. We convened our desktop support team to configure, prepare, and ultimately donate 35 laptop computers before the end of the school week.”
Police are still searching for the people involved.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Hartford Police Department at (860) 757-4355.
