DALTON, Ga. — The Coahulla Creek High School marching band suffered a loss to its ensemble, but it wasn’t in the brass, woodwind or percussion sections. 

Instead, it was aluminum. 

A large trailer used for hauling band equipment was found to be missing on Wednesday, according to school band director David Keith. The trailer, which is 7 feet by 16 feet, is silver and emblazoned with the school name and sponsors on its side. Keith said the band booster club bought the trailer in 2012 from Ingle’s Trailer Sales. He said the cost to replace the trailer is upwards of $7,000.

An incident report from the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office said the trailer was last seen Monday. School principal Tracy Mardis reported it missing on Wednesday around 2:30 p.m.

Keith said the trailer was parked in the school’s student parking lot, under lighting and in view of security cameras. Keith said two trailers were in the same area, but only the larger trailer was taken. He said the hitch on the stolen trailer was secured with a lock. 

“I strategically parked and staged those things so they were under the lights and the camera,” Keith said. “Obviously it wasn’t enough to deter someone. I never thought anyone would be so brazen as to steal a trailer illuminated with locks and badging on the side.”

Mike Ewton, Whitfield County Schools assistant superintendent for operations, confirmed there is video surveillance equipment covering the campus at the school on Crow Road outside of Varnell. However, the sheriff’s office said there was no “usable video” from the camera.

“We are still investigating and following leads, but as of now we don’t have usable video of the event,” Capt. Paul Woods said. 

Keith said there were not any musical instruments stored in the stolen trailer. 

“There were three or four propane tanks for our booster club concession, a hand truck and a spare tire and some other things,” Keith said. “But just the trailer itself is a huge hit to the program.”

Because of the size and layout of the Coahulla Creek campus, Keith said the trailer is used just about every time the marching band performs — whether it is in the football stadium or at an out-of-town game. 

“Competition season starts in October, but we use it all the time,” Keith said. “It hurts.”

Anyone with information on the missing trailer can contact Keith at david.keith@wcsga.net or call the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office at (706) 278-1233.