Thieves Steal Thousands In Fireworks From Edison High School Band Tent

More than $16,000 in fireworks were stolen from the Edison Marching Band who were selling those fireworks to raise money for their program.

Thursday, July 1st 2021, 5:02 pm

By: Amelia Mugavero

TULSA, Oklahoma -

Police are looking for a man who stole more than $16,000 of fireworks from a high school band.

The Edison Marching Band was selling those fireworks at East 101st st and S 129th East Ave. to raise money for their program.

"It's one of those feelings like when your car is broken into, you feel violated!" said Edison Middle School band director, Crista McAlester.

The fireworks are the band's main fundraiser for the entire marching season.

"This is for kids, to literally to sustain a program that teaches lessons that go beyond the classroom. You're taking experiences away from these kids and that's not okay," McAlester said.

McAlester says the person looking after the fireworks did not hear the thief, but they did notice a man in Chevy Silverado speed off around 5 a.m., with a bunch of fireworks in the bed of the pickup. McAlester says this isn't even the first time they have been targeted by thieves.

"Last year the locks were cut, but they didn't take as much last year as they did this year," McAlester added.

"Why would take that away from us? It's just very disheartening," said band student Charles Carter, "because of COVID last year, we didn't really get to do a lot of stuff that we normally do with competitions --- and if you decide to take all of our stuff, we can't go to competitions."

McAlester says the band is having a hard time getting a new shipment of fireworks due to a supply shortage. She says on the bright side -- donations have been flooding in.

"We have had tons of people who have been donating, anywhere from $15 to $100 saying 'keep up the good work, don't let this hold you down!'" McAlester told News on 6.

Even local businesses like Bramble are holding their own fundraiser to support the band. "It's cool to see how something so awful can bring together a community for the greater good," McAlester said with a smile.

The band will be selling fireworks through July 5th. You can also donate to the band through Venmo. The band says they are planning a trip to Disneyland in April, and any donations and sales would help with the trip. E 101st st and S 129th east ave.