MORGAN PARK — Alert neighbors of a Morgan Park elementary school saved the day early Friday by spotting burglars ripping off TVs, laptops and other electronics from the school and calling 911.
The thieves loaded up a truck with the gear from Esmond Elementary School — including a large laminating machine, a projector and a pressure washer — but were forced to abandon it and flee around 3:30 a.m. Friday.
Police quickly found the loot in the truck parked across the street from the school, 1865 W. Montvale Ave., according to police on the scene.
The truck was parked outside of a house at 11200 S. Homewood Ave. Other stolen items were found in the backyard of the Morgan Park home, police said.
An evidence technician dusts a projector found in a truck outside of Esmond Elementary School in Morgan Park for fingerprints. The projector was among the items stolen from the school early Friday morning, according to police. [DNAinfo/Howard A. Ludwig]
There were no signs of forced entry into the school, and police suspect the thieves may have entered through an unlocked window. The thieves exited with the stolen goods though a side door, school officials said.
Inside the school, the thieves broke the glass on three doors leading into the classrooms and stole items from within. The school's surveillance footage was under review early Friday morning, according to Principal Angela Rene Tucker.
"I am appreciative of the neighbors that called in," Tucker said.
Ald. Matt O'Shea (left) and facilities staff at Esmond Elementary School in Morgan Park inspect a cart of stolen items. Televisions, a laminating machine, laptops and other items were taken early Friday morning. [DNAinfo/Howard A. Ludwig]
No arrests had been made by late Friday morning. Only one television remained missing from the school, according to Esmond staffers.
Neighbors said the house on the otherwise quiet block will sometimes have loud guests, and others come and go often. Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) said damage to the school was significant, despite the items being recovered.
"Clearly these were amateurs," O'Shea said.
The main building at Esmond Elementary School in Morgan Park was closed Friday morning after a break-in. The stolen items were recovered in a nearby truck and behind a house at 11200 S. Homewood Ave. [DNAinfo/Howard A. Ludwig]
