Three more schools targeted in crime spree

SAN JOSE >> One day after officials with the Alum Rock School District confirmed three of its schools and an office were vandalized and ransacked in the past week, San Jose police on Wednesday reported three other schools with other districts were also targeted.

San Jose police responded to similar break-ins at a total of six schools and one district office between Thursday and Tuesday morning, according to officer Gina Tepoorten. Police do not have any information on a possible suspect or suspects.

“It looks like there’s a strong possibility these were all committed by the same individual or group of individuals,” Tepoorten said.

Tepoorten said the suspects targeted Ocala STEAM Academy, Sheppard Middle School, George Middle School, Katherine Smith Elementary, O.B. Whaley Elementary and Toyon Elementary and the Alum Rock School District’s human resources and purchasing office. The schools are located in the same general area, east of Highway 101 and Interstate 680.

Smith and Whaley are part of the Evergreen School District; Toyon is part of the Berryessa Union School District. Ocala, Sheppard and George are part of the Alum Rock district.

In nearly every case, thieves broke into the schools by breaking windows or prying doors open, Tepoorten said. Once inside, they smashed open vending machines, looked for petty cash and vandalized the offices, ransackied desks and cabinets and scattered papers and files on the ground.

Police responded to four of the schools during a fivehour window early Tuesday morning, Tepoorten said.

There are no surveillance cameras at any of the Alum Rock schools that were targeted, a school district official said.

Anyone with information about the break-ins can contact Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP (7867) or svcrimestoppers. org. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.