Man Arrested for Stealing 24 iPads from Crystal Lake Middle School: Police

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL - A 30-year-old man has been arrested for felony theft for stealing 24 Apple iPads from Bernotas Middle School in Crystal Lake earlier this year. Carlos J. Lucas was taken into custody Thursday after Crystal Lake Police Department developed him as a suspect in the theft and issued a warrant for his arrest, according to a news release from the Crystal Lake Police Department. Police were first called to Bernotas Middle School, 170 North Oak St. in Crystal Lake, on Jan. 3.

At that time, staff at the school told authorities 24 Apple iPads were missing from two separate classrooms. During the investigation, police learned District 47 had contracted with several companies to perform various maintenance-related services at Bernotas during the two-week holiday break, according to the news release.

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Over the next three months, detectives conducted several interviews and explored numerous leads. They also coordinated with District 47's Information Technology Department. Detectives developed Lucas, a worker from one of the maintenance companies, as a suspect after one of the stolen iPads was activated, police said.

Lucas has been charged with theft over $500 from a school, a class 2 felony. He has been released from jail after he posted 10 percent of his $50,000 bond.

He is next expected in court on June 6.

Photo via District 47's website