Multiple suspects were arrested with the help of Lake County Sheriff’s Canine Dax after they broke into an elementary school in Lindenhurst and caused damage to the school.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Lindenhurst Police Department responded around 2:30 a.m. Sunday to BJ Hooper Elementary, 2400 Sand Lake Road in Lindenhurst, for a call of a burglary in progress.
Lake County Sheriff Deputy John Forlenza and his partner Dax also were called to the scene.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said the initial information received was that several individuals were inside the school.
The subjects reportedly caused serious damage to both the school and a bulldozer parked outside of the school, Covelli said.
The offenders also managed to start the bulldozer.
Multiple people fled on foot when initial responding police officers arrived at the scene.
Forlenza and Dax, along with other sheriffโs deputies, responded and started an immediate track.
Dax tracked for approximately one and a half miles directly to a residence.
Three people exited the residence and were identified as being involved in the burglary, Covelli said.
At least two other individuals were also taken into custody by sheriffโs deputies and Lindenhurst police officers near the school.
Covelli said that all of the individuals apprehended were turned over to the Lindenhurst Police Department so they could further their investigation.
BJ Hooper Principal Steve Feldman notified families of the incident and said the damage to the school and construction equipment was minor.