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Suspects arrested after video captures thieves stealing bags from Morton kids

MORTON, Wash. — UPDATE: KIRO 7's Shelby Miller has learned officers with the Morton Police Department  tracked down the suspects who stole backpacks from Morton Junior/Senior High School grounds last week.

The suspects are expected to appear in court at 4:00 p.m.

KIRO 7 is tracking the investigation as it develops for a live and in-depth report on KIRO 7 News at 5:30. Watch on TV or here

Previous Coverage:

A pair of brazen thieves stole armfuls of students' backpacks right off Morton Junior/Senior High School grounds in broad daylight.

“I’m really angry. I really want these people caught,” said Stephanie Peters.

Peters feels violated by the crime. Her son, Jace, had his bag stolen. She said it’ll cost them about $700 to replace.

“He had ear buds in there that were quite expensive, he had all of his new school supplies that I just purchased, of course, which isn’t cheap, and his school bag that had his name embroidered in, it had his cellphone,” she said.

Morton Police Chief Roger Morningstar believes the crime will cost families about $2,000 overall.

“They took stuff that some of them can’t afford to replace. They really also robbed them of that childhood innocence that we all take for granted here,” he said.

The pair drove up in a red and white Chevy pickup truck. It happened Sept. 26 just after 4:30 p.m., right in front of the school.

Superintendent John Hannah said students leave their bags on the bench daily for cross country practice.

“I was shocked that nobody saw it, considering that moments before and moments after, there were people that were in that area, literally less than a minute before and after,” he said.

Morton is a tiny town. Only about 100 students attend Morton Junior/Senior High School.

Hannah said it’ll take time for students in the close-knit community to heal.

“You broke a trust that they had with their community, and you’ve impacted our community greatly,” he said.

Police are asking the community to keep an eye out for the vehicle. They believe the suspects live outside the Morton area.

Investigators are currently working to get more information, including the truck’s license plate number.

If you have any information, call the Lewis County Communications Center or the Morton Police Department.

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