WRPD investigates school burglaries

HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — The Warner Robins Police Department (WRPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect who was caught on camera burglarizing two Houston County Schools.

According to WRPD, around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, police were dispatched to Parkwood Elementary School. There were no signs of forced entry; however, a maintenance worker was inside the building at the time of the burglary.

Once inside the elementary school building, the suspect looked through some classrooms but didn’t take much from the building.

The suspect then burglarized Northside High School. Surveillance footage showed the suspect wandering the halls of the school.

WPRD found a shattered window at the school, along with evidence that the suspect had been rummaging through teachers’ desks and cabinets. The suspect would face burglary charges and criminal trespass depending on the severity of the damage to the schools.

According to Police Chief John Wagner, this is a unique case.

“It is kind of odd that school is in [session,] and they’re going inside the school,” Wagner said.

Police have yet to find a motive but assured the Journal that the payoff for burglarizing a school is not productive.

“I really don’t know what they’re looking for,” Wagner said. “Maybe change or candy or some food out of the cafeteria. A lot of that stuff [is locked,] and you’re not going to find any large amount of money in the school.”

The WRPD is still investigating this incident, and they have collaborated with the school resource officer working that night, along with asking the public via social media to assist in identifying the suspect — something Wagner said they have had good results with in the past.

“We’re only so many eyes,” Wagner added. “We share the information on Facebook, and we hope [the people] who will look at it can give us a name or share it with Macon Crimestoppers.”

Anyone with more information can call the Warner Robins Police Department or Macon Regional Crimestoppers.

HHJ News