PROVIDENCE - Sixteen Apple laptop computers were stolen from Hope High School, apparently between Monday afternoon and yesterday morning.

Arthur Petrosinelli, one of the high school's three principals, said the thief or thieves used bolt cutters to free the computers, whose value is about $16,000. The laptops, which were bought two years ago, were used by students who are studying digital media and design in teacher Amy Weigand's classroom.

The Rhode Island School of Design runs an after-school class in which 20 students are learning to do stop-motion animation. Some of the work has been saved but many of the students will need to re-shoot their pieces, according to a RISD spokeswoman.

Petrosinelli said Weigand discovered the missing laptops yesterday around 9:30 a.m., adding that the room was locked when she entered. Providence police are investigating. -Linda Borg

lborg@projo.com / (401) 277-7823