Police Seek Suspect in Elementary School Violin Theft
Metropolitan Police Department is searching for a suspect who stole at least six donated violins from John Burroughs Elementary School in Northeast Washington.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Property Crime
Police are searching for a suspect in a burglary at John Burroughs Elementary School on November 2, when at least six violins were stolen from a classroom after the suspect destroyed property to gain entry. The donated instruments are worth approximately $5,000.
Why it matters
The theft removes instruments donated to a District of Columbia public school, affecting student access to music instruction at the school. Police have released surveillance images and are offering a reward to help identify the suspect.
Police are seeking a suspect and have published surveillance images showing a person in a black hooded sweatshirt, gray pants, black socks, Crocs, and a multicolored bandana covering the mouth. A reward of up to $1,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment, and no arrest has been reported.
The players
Metropolitan Police Department
The Metropolitan Police Department is the law enforcement agency responsible for policing the District of Columbia and leads the investigation into the school burglary.
The details
Surveillance images show the suspect wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, gray pants, black socks, Crocs, and a multicolored bandana covering the mouth. Police say the suspect destroyed property to enter the school and then destroyed additional property to reach the classroom where the violins were kept.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: Burglary occurs at approximately 1:18 a.m. at John Burroughs Elementary School.
November 11, 2026: Metropolitan Police Department announces the search and releases surveillance images.
Legal Context
Burglary of a school building is a property offense prosecuted under District of Columbia law, and cases like this are investigated through the Metropolitan Police Department's property crime unit. Reward-based public appeals with surveillance imagery are a standard tool used by the department when suspects are not yet identified.
Residents and parents near John Burroughs Elementary School should be aware of the active search and can contact police with tips that may lead to a reward. Schools in the area may see added security attention while the investigation is ongoing.
The takeaway
Anyone with information about the burglary is encouraged to contact the Metropolitan Police Department, as tips could earn a reward of up to $1,000. Community reporting remains an important part of recovering stolen property and identifying suspects.
Further reading
For more on similar cases, see Property Crime coverage across Washington.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Washington Times.
