ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (WLS) — In a surprising turn of events, two individuals now face charges after a school resource officer’s firearm disappeared earlier this week in the northern suburbs.
According to the Arlington Heights police, the officer, stationed at Forest View Educational Center, temporarily removed the weapon while using the restroom on Monday. It wasn’t until after the students had departed for the day that the officer realized the firearm was missing.
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As a precautionary measure, classes at the school were suspended on Tuesday.
The police identified Juan Pablo Sanchez Jaramillo, an 18-year-old student from Mount Prospect, as the individual who took the gun from the restroom.
Authorities reported that Sanchez Jaramillo subsequently handed the firearm over to a 17-year-old residing in a nearby town.
While officers have recovered a flashlight that was attached to the gun, the weapon itself is still unaccounted for, according to the police.
The 17-year-old was arrested and taken to the Arlington Heights Police Department.
The teen was charged with possession of a stolen firearm, unlawful possession of a weapon in a school and theft of a lost or mislaid property.
Sanchez Jaramillo has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon in a school, police said.
He is also in custody and due in court Thursday.
“The Police Department strongly believes there are individuals with information as to the whereabouts of the stolen handgun. We encourage anyone with information to contact the Arlington Heights Police or your local police department,” police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call 847-368-5300 or email policemail@vah.com.
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