In an unexpected turn of events for the Troy 30-C School District, the majority of its school buses were incapacitated due to the theft of catalytic converters, necessitating an impromptu transition to e-learning for the day. The district, which encompasses schools in the suburban areas of Joliet, Plainfield, and Shorewood, was compelled to announce this shift to parents on Monday morning after the discovery of the theft.
According to the district's press release, "Early this morning, during routine preparations by our dedicated transportation team, it was discovered that over 90% of our bus fleet had fallen victim to vandalism, resulting in the theft of catalytic converters." This figure was later corrected to "over 80%," but the theft nonetheless rendered most of the district's buses unusable despite measures such as surveillance cameras, secure fencing, and enhanced lighting, as reported by WGN-TV.
The suspected thefts are purported to have occurred early Monday morning, with Joliet police identifying a dark-colored SUV in the vicinity of Riviera Blvd. and Leonard Drive between 3:00 a.m. and 3:15 a.m. Details from an ABC7 Chicago report indicate that the thefts took place across 30 district buses between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.
The abrupt shift to online learning called for a collective adaptation by students, parents, and school officials alike, though the district has not yet clarified if additional e-learning days will be necessary while the buses are repaired. "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 district expressed in their statement obtained by WGN-TV.
Investigative efforts are ongoing with the collaboration between Joliet police, the Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force, and school district officials. They are urging anyone who may have video footage or information related to the incident, to contact law enforcement at 815-724-4677 or via email at [email protected], or to submit an anonymous tip through Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734.
