Suburban School Security Chief Resigns After Arrest For Theft
SKOKIE, Ill. (CBS) -- The head of security at a north suburban high school has resigned, after he was arrested for stealing school property.
WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports James DiJohn, 56, has been accused of stealing electronic equipment from Niles North High School in Skokie.
DiJohn headed the school's security force and was suspended without pay on Friday, following his arrest, and resigned on Sunday. He had worked there for 13 years.
"The alleged actions of one person do not define our Security Department, which includes so many good people who work hard on behalf of our students. Nor do those actions diminish our shared commitment to the students and families of our community," Niles North Principal Ryan McTague said.
Skokie police said DiJohn stole portable radios, earpieces, chargers, and other equipment from the school; then sold some of it on eBay.
In a statement, Niles Township High School District 219 Superintendent Nanciann Gatta said, "Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our students and staff members. … We have an interim Director of Security and all of the important services our security staff provides to our school community will continue uninterrupted."
Authorities have not yet put a dollar value on the stolen goods, other than to say somewhere between $500 and $10,000.
He was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond, and was due back in court next week.
