A teenager is in jail after police say he attacked two different teachers on two different days.
Police say Darlington James, 19, slipped into the side door at Upper Darby High School Tuesday afternoon during school dismissal and found a teacher working in her classroom. Police say the door was locked but once the teacher opened it, James pulled out a hammer and attacked her.
“She continued to scream for help,” said Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood. “He pushed her on the ground and again swung the hammer at her several times but never directly hit her with the hammer.”
Investigators say the teacher managed to fight back and even chased the suspect after he grabbed her laptop computer and took off running. Two other teachers spotted Jones, caught him and were able to hold him until police arrived, according to investigators. He was arrested and charged with assault, robbery and other related offenses.
Police say they believe James is the same person who tried to rob another teacher working in her classroom after school at Beverly Hills Middle School last month. James does not attend either school where the incidents took place, according to investigators.
NBC10’s Daralene Jones spoke with the suspect’s Aunt who claimed James’ mother died and his father lives out of state. James is currently being held on an $80,000 bond. His aunt tells us she’s worried she won’t be able to come up with the money.
A student at Upper Darby High School told NBC10 the school never told students about the incident.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
“I feel some type of way about it because they didn’t inform us about it,” said Kai English. “That’s something serious that we should know about. That’s ruining our safety.”
