Criminals Target Troy School District Buses, Forcing E-Learning Day

JOLIET ? Around 7 a.m., the Troy 30-C School District alerted families that Monday will be an emergency E-learning day for students from home because of a huge crime wave that struck the school district based in Joliet along Theodore Street.

The announcement indicated that as "our transportation team prepared buses for the day, they discovered that over 90 percent of our fleet had been vandalized, with catalytic converters stolen, rendering our buses inoperative.

"Despite our security measures, including cameras, lighting and fencing, this unfortunate incident still occurred. We are actively working with Joliet Police Department and local authorities to investigate and hold those responsible accountable. We are quickly working and in contact with our bus vendors to get our bus fleet up and running as soon as possible."

According to the Joliet Police Department press release of the crime:

Officers responded this morning to the Troy School District Transportation Lot at 5800 Theodore Street for a report of the theft of catalytic converters from numerous school district buses. Officers learned that catalytic converters had been cut from 30 school district buses between the hours of 2 and 3 a.m. on Monday.

The suspect vehicle is described as a dark colored SUV last seen in the area of Riviera Boulevard and Leonard Drive shortly after 3:00 a.m. A surveillance photo of the vehicle is pictured below.

At this time the Joliet Police Department and the Tri County Auto Theft Task Force are working very closely with officials from the Troy 30-C School District to learn more about these thefts that have forced the school district to transition to an e-learning school day. This case remains under active investigation. Anyone with video footage or additional information regarding these thefts are encouraged to contact the Tri County Auto Theft Task Force at tcat@joliet.gov or by calling (815)724-4677. They can also contact Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734 or online at https://crimestoppersofwillcou... if they wish to remain anonymous.

On Facebook, Troy posted the following statement: "Due to the unforeseen emergency affecting all of our buses, all Troy 30-C schools must transition to an emergency e-learning day today, Monday, February 10. On this day students will complete assignments from home, and they will not come to school. Please check your email for more information.

"Students have been directed by their teachers to follow procedures for an eLearning Day as outlined on our website."