An 18-year-old and a 17-year-old face felony charges after an Arlington Heights police officer's service weapon was taken from a school bathroom on May 4. The handgun is still missing.
Two students have been charged in connection with the theft of an Arlington Heights Police Department School Resource Officer's service weapon at Forest View Educational Center. The handgun has not been recovered.
Quick Facts
- When: Monday, May 4, 2026, around 2:50 p.m.
- Where: Forest View Educational Center, part of Township High School District 214, in Arlington Heights
- What's missing: The School Resource Officer's service handgun
- What was recovered: A rail-mounted tactical flashlight that had been attached to the weapon
How It Happened
The School Resource Officer removed his firearm from its holster while using a school restroom and left it unattended. Shortly after, an 18-year-old student walked in, took the gun, and left campus with it as the school day ended.
Investigators say the student then handed the weapon off to a 17-year-old in a neighboring community.
The Charges
Juan Pablo Sanchez Jaramillo, 18, of Mount Prospect:
- Class 3 felony — Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in a School
A 17-year-old juvenile from a neighboring community:
- Class 2 felony — Possession of a Stolen Firearm
- Class 3 felony — Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in a School
- Class A misdemeanor — Theft of Lost or Mislaid Property
Sanchez Jaramillo was scheduled for a detention hearing on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Details about the juvenile's case are restricted under the Illinois Juvenile Court Act.
The Search So Far
On the night of Tuesday, May 5, 2026, detectives executed a search warrant at an apartment in the neighboring community where the gun was last seen. They recovered the tactical flashlight, but an extensive search did not turn up the handgun itself.
Watch: News Coverage
What Happened at the School
Classes at Forest View Educational Center were canceled Tuesday, May 5, while police searched the building. The school reopened on Wednesday, May 6, with added security and a dedicated police presence.
The School Resource Officer involved has been placed on administrative leave. An internal affairs investigation is underway.
How to Help
Anyone with information about the missing handgun is asked to contact Arlington Heights Police detectives at 847-368-5300. The department's official press release on the incident is available here.