Police warn parents of students with iPads, laptops about thieves

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A teenage boy is still recovering in the hospital after getting shot when someone stole his school-issued iPad Sunday morning.

We first told you about this Sunday.

Police scoured the streets to try to find the two men responsible for shooting a 16-year-old boy so they could steal his school issued iPad.  Officers said the teen was in his driveway when the men pulled up in a dark green van.  One of the men jumped out and stole the iPad.

"The 16-year-old ran after him. Caught up to him at the intersection of Palisade and Salem Lane at which point the male turned around and fired an unknown type of gun at the 16-year-old," Fort Wayne Police Department Spokesperson Chris Felton said.

This isn't the first time this has happened.  Just two days prior in this same neighborhood another 16-year-old boy had his school issued iPad stolen from him in broad daylight.

"A couple of male blacks in a beige Ford Explorer pulled up there was some conversation.  One of the occupants jumped out grabbed the iPad from that 16-year-old and they fled the scene as well."

Several schools in our area are sending kids home with school issued iPads or laptops.  Police encourage parents to make sure their children are taking precautions.

"If you're walking from the bus stop or walking to a friends house, try not to carry the iPad in the wide open for everyone to see.  Don't brag about it that you have it.  If you can try to carry it in a disguised case maybe in a book bag or something that may not be easily identifiable."

Police are sending a warning to the criminals involved with these thefts.

"We take them very seriously and we will exhaust all options to investigate and hopefully bring the criminals to justice."

Police tell NewsChannel 15 the boy who was shot Sunday is improving.  Police aren't sure if the two crimes are connected.  Anyone with information should call police.