Checotah School's Stolen Band Trailer Recovered; Equipment Found Destroyed

A Checotah school's band trailer had been missing for about three weeks, after being stolen from the school property.

The trailer was used to haul instruments and equipment. It was a tough loss because they needed all of that equipment for both competition and marching season.

When the band got word the trailer had been found, they were excited.

Alex Warrior is a band director at Checotah and said they didn't know what to expect, but was happy that people were still looking for it.

"We got a tip from an investigator that they were able to find it,” Warrior said.

The trailer was found on the side of the highway near the edge of town.

"As soon as we found out we jumped in the car and drove over there immediately,” Warrior said.

The trailer is a little banged up and will need some repairs, but is now back at the school.

Warrior said the school has only had the trailer for a few years and it could have cost around $10,000 to replace it.

The thieves spray painted some of the trailer black and destroyed all of the equipment that was inside.

Kylie Ferguson is in band and said she's had her equipment for a long time, which was inside the trailer.

"I thought everything was in there and thought everything was normal until we pulled up and looked inside," Ferguson said.

She's still going to have to replace her things.

"I was upset because my personal rifle and my sister's and all of our uniforms that we had were on there and all of that money got wasted," Ferguson said.

Warrior said the band is a big deal in this small town and the students take pride in being a part of such a great program.

"We've been extremely successful for several, several decades and we're going to continue," Warrior said.

He said they are still fundraising to cover the cost of repairs for the trailer and to replace the items that were inside.

"We always need support from our community, our band parents, so we can help these kids succeed," Warrior said.