Joliet school district goes to e-learning after school bus catalytic converter theftson February 11, 2025 at 5:41 am

MAK Gojar

11 months ago

A rash of catalytic converter thefts targeting a Joliet school bus parking lot forced an e-learning day for students Monday.

school bus

Troy 30-C School District e-learning will continue Tuesday as bus fleet repairs are ongoing

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team andRob Hughes

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 12:11AM

Students in Troy 30-C School District were forced into e-learning Monday after catalytic converters were stolen from over 90% of their school buses.

JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) — A rash of catalytic converter thefts targeting a Joliet school bus parking lot forced an e-learning day for students Monday and Tuesday.

Joliet police said officers responded to the Troy School District Transportation Lot at 5800 Theodore Street for reports of catalytic converter thefts from multiple school buses early Monday morning. An investigation found they had been cut from 30 district buses between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.

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Police said the suspected vehicle involved is a dark-colored SUV that was last seen near Riviera Boulevard and Leonard Drive shortly after 3 a.m.

Officials from Troy 30-C School District said the thefts affected more than 80% of their bus fleet, rendering them inoperable. As a result, the district called an emergency e-learning day and are working to get the buses fixed as quickly as possible.

Just before 4 p.m., the district announced that they would have a second emergency e-learning day on Tuesday, Feb. 11, as they continue to work to repair their bus fleet.

Troy 30-C said efforts to borrow buses from neighboring districts came up short the amount of buses needed, and new replacement buses from their vendors won’t be available until later in the week.

The district said 75% of it’s students take the buses, and although they considered the possibility of families taking their kids to and from school, it’s not feasible for all families.

Joliet police and the Tri County Auto Theft Task Force are working leading the investigation into the thefts, and working closely with the school district.

Police are asking anyone with video or information about to contact the Tri County Auto Theft Task Force at 815-724-4677 or tcat@joliet.gov, or to contact Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734 to leave an anonymous tip.

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