Purse cash swiped from empty classroom

LOWELL, Mich. (WOOD) - A woman has been charged for allegedly stealing money from a purse in an empty classroom.

Leanne Wendt, 31, was arraigned Thursday on a charge of larceny in a building. She posted a $5,000 bond at the time of her arrest. The bond was raised to $7,500 at her arraignment.

It was Oct. 5 when the suspect allegedly stole money from a teacher's purse at Bushnell Elementary School in Lowell, according to a news release.

The teacher confronted Wendt who was in the school without a visitor pass, police said.

Surveillance video was obtained from the school and the investigating officer was able to identify the suspect after having prior contacts with her.

Wendt has consequently been banned from all Lowell Public Schools property.

She is also a person of interest in larcenies from other schools in the Kent County area, according to the Lowell Police Department.

Wendt has no school-age children, and when she has been seen in schools, there were no activities that would warrant an adult without children to attend.