Ventura band students have instruments stolen in San Diego [Video]

The principal of Newbury Park Adventist Academy estimates the stolen instruments value at $20,000 to $25,000.

SAN DIEGO — A Ventura high school band visiting San Diego to perform last weekend woke up to find their van had been broken into, and many of their instruments were gone.

The Newbury Park Adventist Concert Band most recently performed at the Tierrasanta 7th Day Adventist Church, said Joel Albritton, Principal of the Newbury Park Adventist Academy, grades 9 through 12.

The band and choir went back to their hotel in Chula Vista at La Quinta to spend the night. The van was locked and appeared to be safe.

“I was there the morning our music director called us together for an emergency meeting telling us that many of our instruments were stolen in the night,” Albritton said.

And the dollar amount of those instruments is significant.

“So far we’re able to determine the value of the instruments stolen is in the …