Avon HS thief caught on tape

AVON, Ind. (WISH) - Avon police are searching for a man who has been stealing from students at the high school.

Surveillance video shows the suspect walking in through unlocked doors after school hours. He's done it about 10 times in the past year.

The school said on any given night, hundreds of kids and parents use the building for sports and other activities. Principal Rick Adcock said that's why he has to leave at least one door unlocked during the evening hours. The problem is, the theft suspect uses the same door.

"He comes right in with a purpose. He knows where the locker rooms are at. He goes right to that area and starts pulling on doors," said Rick Adcock, Avon High School Principal.

Surveillance video shows the suspect walking through the halls like he's supposed to be there. No one gives him a second look.

"The ironic thing is there are people all around. He blends in because he looks like a high school kid," said Adcock.

The suspect is caught on tape going into the locker rooms, which is where police said he scored big time. He's accused of stealing iPods, cash, laptops and even musical instruments that aren't locked up.

Adcock said he warns students to keep everything secured but students still leave backpacks and purses sitting out in plain view for anyone to steal.

Police believe the suspect is getting bolder because he struck twice in the past two weeks, when the principal himself was in the building.

"I'm in the auditorium with parents at 5 p.m. and he walks right by the door. Didn't know it until after the fact," Adcock said.

The high school said the suspect would never be able to get into the building during school hours because the building is basically on lock down. The school said it can't do that after hours because of all the extracurricular activities

The suspect is believed to be a white man, 20-25 years old, about 5'10", 160 lbs. with a thin build, blond to brown hair and some facial hair.

If you have any information call Crime Stoppers at 262-TIPS.