Arlington County police investigating string of thefts at several elementary schools

ARLINGTON, Va. - Police in Arlington are investigating a string of thefts at elementary schools across the county. Investigators said the thieves sneak in through side entrances and walk out with credit cards, wallets and cash left unattended inside classrooms.

Police have released surveillance photos of four female suspects - two of them believed to be juveniles.

The suspects are accused of hitting nine different schools across the county since May 2017. The most recent incident happened less than a week ago at Carlin Springs Elementary School. Police are also investigating thefts at:

- Ashlawn Elementary School
- Barcroft Elementary School
- Campbell Elementary School
- Drew Model School
- Glebe Elementary School
- Jamestown Elementary School
- McKinley Elementary School
- Tuckahoe Elementary School

The suspects work in a group and wander onto campus and into classrooms following dismissal. Police said these crimes are organized and regional in nature.

Last year, a very similar spree of school thefts happened at several schools in Prince George's County and Montgomery County in Maryland. Police eventually arrested a 39-year-old Germantown man for the burglaries.

However, authorities said currently there is no link to these most recent cases in Arlington.

One of the suspects is described as a black female standing 5-feet-6 inches tall with prominent cheekbones.

The second suspect is described as a black female with her hair pulled back in bun.

Police describe the third suspect as a juvenile black female who was wearing a silver coat.

The fourth suspect is a juvenile black female who wearing pink shoes and carrying a colorful clutch purse.

Police believe the suspect vehicle may be a white Ford Expedition.