SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — State police are trying to track down whoever ran off with 10 hurdles from the Slippery Rock High School football field.

The hurdles, valued at a combined $2,000, were believed stolen between April 12 and 19 from the field on Kiester Road.

Investigators apparently have no suspects in the theft that has left police and school officials puzzled.

“It’s bizarre,” said Slippery Rock track coach Tom Meling. “I could see someone maybe taking one. But 10? It’s just weird.”

Police do not have a motive but they did not rule out the hurdles were stolen for scrap metal.

“People aren’t stealing hurdles because they want to practice hurdling at home, or stealing ground wires from utility poles because they’re putting up utility poles this weekend and just used up the last of their ground wire,” said Sgt. Rachel E. Graham, patrol unit supervisor at the Butler barracks.

“They are usually stealing to support their drug habit. When these items are scrapped, the thief is often getting several dollars in cash for what will cost the victims hundreds to repair or replace.”

Meling said the hurdles are new and each one weighs between 20 and 25 pounds. They were taken sometime after the team’s first track meet and before the second one.

“We were starting to set them up,” he said, “and we came up 10 short.”

Meling came up with his own theory about the theft.

“We have fraternities not far from us,” he said.

The hurdles, he noted, are red and white and painted with a rocket, the team’s emblem, and could be a good conversation piece for a college student’s dorm room.