DIXFIELD — Three school-issued laptop computers have been stolen from Dirigo High School during the past month, with all of them returned anonymously a few days later.

Dixfield police Sgt. Jeffery Howe said the laptops have a value of about $1,400 each, including the software. He said students may not realize that the computers have built-in tracking devices and can be located if not immediately returned.

He speculated that the computers were likely taken so a student can log onto Web sites that are prohibited in the classroom. Virtually all high school students have been issued their own laptop.

In other police matters:

Accidents

A Western Foothills Regional School Unit 10 bus driven by Julie Carlow backed into a late-model Ford sport utility vehicle, driven by Judith Horne at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 5 on Middle School Drive. Howe said another school bus was leaving the middle school parking lot when Carlow backed up to make way for the bus. There was about $3,000 damage to the SUV; none to the bus. No students were on board at the time.

Vehicles driven by Megan Gill, 23, of Peru, and Jennifer Elliott, 27, of Clinton collided at 3:35 p.m. Feb. 5 on Main Street. Gill’s 2001 Subaru Outback was destroyed. Elliott’s Ford pickup truck sustained $3,000 to $4,000 damage.

Thefts

A Fairbanks Street resident reported the theft of prescription pills valued at $40 at 10 a.m. Jan. 20. Police have a suspect.

A Dirigo High School student reported the theft of an MP3 player valued at about $40 from the school on Feb. 4.

A Dixfield resident reported the theft of a digital camera valued at $400 from his vehicle parked near Ellis Variety on Weld Street at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 4. Police have suspects.

A Timber Meadows Lane business owner reported the theft of up to a half-cord of fire wood valued at about $90 from his property on Feb. 7.