Southwest suburban school district moves to e-learning after vandals target school buses
PLAINFIELD, Ill. (CBS) -- A southwest suburban school district was set to be on e-learning for a second day Tuesday after vandals targeted its bus fleet at a yard in Plainfield.
The buses catalytic converters on the buses were stolen in the early morning hours Monday.
Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C, which includes schools in Joliet, Plainfield, and Shorewood, emailed families on Monday to share that "over 90% of our bus fleet had fallen victim to vandalism, resulting in the theft of catalytic converters."
District officials released the following statement:
"We are actively collaborating with the Joliet Police Department and local authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure those responsible are brought to justice. Additionally, we are in direct communication with our bus vendors to expedite repairs and restore our bus fleet to full operational capacity at the earliest opportunity.
We sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding exhibited by our community during this challenging time. Continuous updates will be provided throughout the day as new information emerges."
The school district said the school had to transition to an "emergency e-learning day" Monday as the investigation continues. Tuesday was set to be another emergency e-learning day.
Paulina Olivo, 7, knew there was a reason she had to go to class from her kitchen table Monday.
"I think they robbed the bus," Paulina said. "My mom said one of the pieces got lost."
Of course, it was not just one bus. A total of 30 of the 38 buses at Troy School District 30-C had their catalytic converters stolen.
The district said 75% of its students depend on the school buses.
Troy School District confirmed the buses were under surveillance cameras and inside secure fencing. Those surveillance cameras were rolling when the theft happened, but the photo of the crooks' car is grainy.
Police sources told the CBS News Chicago Investigators they believe the theft will cost the school district $187,000 to replace all the catalytic converters.
Joliet police were on the scene using a drone to look for clues.
Police believe the thief or thieves got into the bus yard by breaking through the back gate, and used a power saw to cut the catalytic converters off the school buses.
When they left with the catalytic converters, the thieves drove off through a ballfield, police say. Tire tracks were visible on the field, and the Joliet police drone traced them all the way to a neighboring subdivision through which the thief or thieves escaped.
Police sources said if processed correctly, criminals can get anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $1,000 for a bus catalytic converter, because they are larger than those for cars and can have more precious metals to recycle for cash.
Police believe whoever committed the crime struck early Monday morning around 3 a.m.
Joliet police have jurisdiction in the part of Plainfield where the bus yard is located, and the Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force — which serves Will, Grundy, and Kankakee counties — is investigating.
The Troy School District 30-C said it is doing everything it can at this point — whether that means getting new buses or borrowing buses from nearby districts. One school official said the district is even trying to expedite converters from other states.
Troy School District 30-C said it will have another update before noon Tuesday on what the rest of the week will look like for students and parents.
