News

Suspect breaks into Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy through roof

(Updated at 11:30 a.m. on March 22) Not much was taken in an overnight break-in at Lyle’s Crouch Traditional Academy earlier this month, although the suspect gained entry through the roof and no alarms went off.

On Wednesday morning, March 9, staff at the elementary school at 530 S. St. Asaph Street in Old Town called police after finding classrooms vandalized. Parents were not notified of the incident since there is no threat to school safety.

“ACPS never sent a note,” a Lyles-Crouch parent said. “Our kids told us. We then asked other employees of the school and they told us.”

There was only one wireless mouse and a stuffed animal stolen, ACPS Safety & Security Services Director John Contreras, told ALXnow. Contreras would not say whether the school’s security system was functioning.

“We do not share information specific to the functionality of security systems so as not to impact the security posture at any school,” Contreras said.

There have been no arrests.

Photo via Facebook

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.