Round Lake Police search for Christmas Eve school burglar

At least $2,000 in damage was caused in a Christmas Eve burglary at a Round Lake Area Unit District 116 school, officials said.

Police said the break-in occurred about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Raymond Ellis Elementary School, 720 Central Park Drive. Entry was made through a window, Round Lake Beach Deputy Police Chief Michael Scott said.

Taken in the burglary was a laptop computer that was found in a neighbor's yard near the school, according to District 116's director of buildings and grounds, Charles Privett. He estimated the damage at $2,000 to $5,000, with most of it occurring in the Ellis Elementary office area and not in the classrooms.

District 116 spokeswoman Heather Bennett said Friday that a school safe was broken into, but officials have been unable to confirm how much money was inside because the office has been closed for winter break since Monday, Dec. 22. She said the safe would have contained student activity fund and registration fee deposits.

Bennett said District 116 is hopeful that a photo of the apparent suspect captured by a school security camera will lead to an arrest. Police said anyone who can identify the individual in the photograph should call the dispatch center at (847) 270-9111.

"We will continue to work with the police department as they work through the investigation process," Bennett said.

District 116 officials said it's believe the laptop was the only piece of technology equipment that was stolen.

Ellis Elementary serves grades one through five.