Woman attempts to steal school bus

By PAIGE CARR

Staff writer

The wheels on the bus failed to go “round and round” for a woman who allegedly attempted to steal a Peabody-Burns USD 398 school bus Thursday from the bus driver’s home.

When police chief Bruce Burke arrived on scene in the 100 block of W. 9th St. shortly after 7:50 a.m., Emily Caldwell, 35, of Peabody, was in the bus with her child strapped into a seat.

Roy Young, bus driver, lives at the residence where the bus was parked.

Superintendent Ron Traxson said the morning route was completed, and Young was preparing for an activity trip later that day, and was not home. When he returned, he found the bus running with the door closed, and Caldwell and the child inside.

According to Traxson, Young entered through the rear entrance of the bus and pulled the keys from the ignition.

“The bus did not move,” he said.

The woman was then taken into custody.

Traxson confirmed Tuesday that the child was a student of the district.

Caldwell is facing felony charges for attempted theft of property or services and is being held on a $15,000 surety bond. She is scheduled for her first court appearance today.