Authorities continue the hunt for suspects in connection with the theft of about $2,300 worth of field turf from West Forsyth High School.

Capt. Frank Huggins of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office said no one has been arrested and there are no persons of interest in the case.

"We are investigating the theft," Huggins said. "We're increasing our patrols at all construction sites."

Officials with the Forsyth County school system reported two rolls of turf, one about 13 feet and the other 12 feet, missing June 23. They were valued at $1,150 apiece.

The football fields at each of the district's four high schools are being replaced with artificial turf this summer. Wayne, Pa.-based Sprinturf is handling the $2.5 million project, which administrators believe will conserve water and eliminate the costs of maintaining the former grass fields.

The theft will not result in additional costs to the school system. Moreover, said company vice president Amy Brackin, the installation won't be slowed.

"(The rolls are) insured," she said. "But we don't delay on our end. We reorder and continue to work. So we hope that that turf is found, however, we're not going to let that hold up the job."

Jennifer Caracciolo, spokeswoman for the school district, said the missing turf has been replaced and the fields will be ready in time for the first football games in August.

Work on the fields at West and North Forsyth high schools has finished.

Brackin was not surprised by the incident.

"Unfortunately, it does happen on occasion, but the only recourse we can take is to file a police report," she said.
Stealing the turf isn't an easy job.

"They're 15-feet wide by over 100-feet long," she said. "They're very difficult. They'd need equipment to take it off site."