School bus thefts reported in 3 states

Investigations are underway and an arrest was made in unrelated school bus thefts in several states in recent weeks.

In Stonewall, Okla., Decoteau Imotichey was arrested and charged with larceny of an automobile after police say he admitted to stealing a Stonewall school bus. News 12 reports that Imotichey said he stole the bus early last Tuesday morning because it was cold outside. He told the police that the keys were in the bus’ ignition, so he turned on the heater and drove off.

Meanwhile, early last Wednesday morning, a bus was nabbed from the parking lot of a school bus company in Detroit after the driver started the bus for it to warm up and then went into the company’s office.

According to WXYZ, surveillance footage from cameras on the bus shows the suspect driving away. Police say he went to the Ambassador Bridge and tried to cross the border, but he didn't have the fare. The bus company was eventually able to remotely shut off the bus’ engine and track its location due to its GPS.

And in Singer, La., authorities are working to identify the suspect or suspects who stole a school bus and returned it with more than $9,000 in damage, KPLC reports.

Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman Joe Toler told the news outlet that the bus was taken from a high school sometime between Jan. 15 and 21. Beauregard Parish Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.