A suspect who allegedly burglarized the Liberty-Eylau Elementary School has turned herself in to authorities according to the campus police.
Here is the Press Release from the LEISD Police Department:
Yesterday (12/16/20) afternoon the LEISD Police Department arrested a suspect identified as 24 year old Jessica Cox of Texarkana for a burglary at the Liberty-Eylau Elementary School campus. According to police, Cox broke into the school over the weekend by breaking a window in a cafeteria door. Once inside the school, she entered some classrooms and offices and stole computer equipment, tablets, and candy.
“Our officers worked quickly and professionally to resolve this case,” LEISD Superintendent Ronnie Thompson said. “I appreciate their dedication to their jobs to help hold the person responsible for this theft.” After the breakin was reported, surveillance footage showed the suspect and police were able to get usable images showing the suspect’s face.
The district posted the images to Facebook along with a plea to the community for help to identify the suspect. Almost immediately the district began to receive a number of tips regarding her identity. Several local members of the community identified Cox as the person in the photos. “We really appreciate the LEISD community for their help in this investigation,” LEISD Superintendent Ronnie Thompson said. “They are the reason we were able to find this person so quickly.”
LEISD Officers Jason Woodlrige and Devante James went to Cox’s address, but she did not answer the door.
Shortly after that, she called the school and left a message for Wooldridge to call her. During that call Cox said she “wanted to turn herself in” because of what happened at the school. Wooldridge and James then returned to her house where she once again said she wanted to turn herself in for the break in. She was then arrested by Officer James.
Following her arrest property including teacher laptops and a desktop computer were recovered. “Schools are part of the community and when someone steals from a school they steal from the whole community,” Thompson said. “We are pleased that this is how this turned out.”
Several members of the community and businesses who work with the district also donated candy to the school to replace what was stolen for the student Christmas parties. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.