Thieves Strip Iredell School Buses Of Batteries

Authorities say thieves are targeting school buses in Iredell County, stealing more than 50 batteries from parked vehicles over the past few months. The Iredell County sheriff's department says the latest thefts happened last weekend, when 12 batteries disappeared from buses parked at Celeste Henkel Elementary School in Statesville. One new battery costs $130, but transportation workers said a stolen second-hand battery would likely bring in less than $20. So far, the thefts have cost the school district more than $7,500. Officials said they will try to combat the thefts by spray painting all of the district's batteries fluorescent orange.