Thieves broke into Lower Merion High School Sunday night and stole multiple pieces of Kobe Bryant memorabilia. Items that were discovered stolen include Kobe’s framed high school jersey, the 1996 PIAA Boys Basketball State Championship trophy and net, programs from the state and district title games, a proclamation from the Pennsylvania State House honoring the 1996 team as well as several pairs of signed Nike sneakers.

The items were displayed in the “Kobe Case,” pictured above before thieves broke in. In email sent to parents, LM principal Mr. Hughes said that the case “has become a unique point of pride for our school and even a tourist attraction; many basketball fans from all over the world visit our school each year to take photos in front of the display.” Everything that was in the display was stolen. NBC10 reports that thieves busted a lock in order to get into the display case.

School Principal Hughes wrote in his email that “We are saddened and angered that our school has been vandalized, but we are grateful that no one was harmed during the incident last night.”

Lower Merion Police were notified of the theft and are investigating. Lower Merion High School’s surveillance cameras likely captured the theft on video. Police are currently reviewing that video “in an aggressive effort to identify those responsible for this crime.”

The items that were stolen are not worth much, but are sentimentally important to the school. “They represent a wonderful time of accomplishment, unity and pride for our school community — the 1996 state championship — and celebrate an alumnus who has made lasting contributions to our school and the sports world.”

You can take stuff, but you can’t steal amazing memories. No doubt justice will be served – it’s never a good idea to mess with Aces Nation.

— Aces Basketball (@aceshoops) February 6, 2017

“Material items can be replaced and we will make every effort to restore and even enhance the contents of the case with the help of alumni and friends. And even if we cannot replace all the items, the moments that produced them are still very much alive in our memories and honored through the ongoing traditions of Aces Nation.”

School Officials asked that if anyone had any information related to the incident, to please contact them or Lower Merion police.

Current status of the Kobe case at Lower Merion: pic.twitter.com/TwNxomCggz

— Zach Drapkin (@ZachDrapkin) February 6, 2017

The full email from Sean Hughes can be found below

Dear Lower Merion HS Community,

I regret to inform you that last night thieves broke into our school and stole a number of items from the Kobe Bryant display case outside the Bryant Gymnasium. The items included Kobe’s framed high school jersey, the 1996 PIAA Boys Basketball State Championship trophy and net, programs from the state and district title games, a proclamation from the Pennsylvania State House honoring the 1996 team as well as several pairs of signed Nike sneakers. Local law enforcement is investigating the matter and is reviewing surveillance video from inside and outside the school in an aggressive effort to identify those responsible for this crime.

While the items from the case are not of significant monetary value, they do have a great deal of sentimental importance. They represent a wonderful time of accomplishment, unity and pride for our school community — the 1996 state championship — and celebrate an alumnus who has made lasting contributions to our school and the sports world. The “Kobe Case” has become a unique point of pride for our school and even a tourist attraction; many basketball fans from all over the world visit our school each year to take photos in front of the display and leave even more impressed by the warmth, kindness and spirit of LM students and staff.

We are saddened and angered that our school has been vandalized, but we are grateful that no one was harmed during the incident last night. Material items can be replaced and we will make every effort to restore and even enhance the contents of the case with the help of alumni and friends. And even if we cannot replace all the items, the moments that produced them are still very much alive in our memories and honored through the ongoing traditions of Aces Nation.

If for any reason you may have information related to this incident, please contact us or the Lower Merion police. Thank you for your consideration and support.

Sincerely,

Sean Hughes
Principal

Don Walsh
Director of Athletics & Activities