Crime & Safety
Chicago Man Was Let In, Stole From Oak Park School: Police
Authorities allege he was let in by a parent leaving the school before stealing nearly $1,000 in property and cash from a faculty member.
OAK PARK, IL — A Chicago man is being accused of stealing nearly $1,000 in property and cash from a faculty member at an Oak Park Montessori school, according to reports. James Houston, 61, of Chicago, was arrested on June 3 after being identified from surveillance footage, the Wednesday Journal reports.
Authorities allege that Houston walked into the Alcuin Montessori School on N. Oak Park Avenue at 2:09 p.m. when a parent leaving held the door for him. He went into a classroom and stole a laptop, a purse and cash, police say.
Houston then left the building carry a bag with a jacket over it, according to the Journal. He exited to Superior Street.
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Houston was caught due to a network of information sharing. Oak Park police shared a flyer with other area police department, showing the subject in the surveillance footage. Chicago police reached out, saying they thought it was Houston, the Journal reports.
Oak Park police issued a warrant for Houston's arrest on a burglary charge and was taken into custody by Chicago police.
Find out what's happening in Oak Park-River Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Article image via Chicago Police Department
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