Bus driver charged with touching students
South Barrington police have charged a school-bus driver from Lake in the Hills with four counts of misdemeanor battery for inappropriately touching four elementary school students over the course of the past year.
John Petrone, 68, who lives on Heavens Gate in Lake in the Hills, was released after posting $150 bond Thursday. His next court date is Aug. 2.
The Barrington Transportation Co. placed Petrone on suspension immediately after the first report of inappropriate conduct was received in April. That remained his status on Thursday, company officials said.
South Barrington detective Bryant Haniszewski said the report of one student’s being inappropriately touched by Petrone on a bus route serving Barbara Rose Elementary School led to the police department’s investigation.
That investigation, which concluded Thursday, identified three further victims — all of whom are from Hoffman Estates, Haniszewski said.
The Lake County sheriff’s office is investigating the possibility of any earlier incidents involving Petrone on those routes.