8 school buses stolen, sold for scrap

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago police are investigating the theft of eight school buses that were later found chopped in pieces at a West Side scrap yard.

The buses were discovered missing from Sunrise School Bus and Charter garage on Chicago's southeast side early Friday when workers turned up. The buses' onboard GPS tracking systems allowed authorities to locate the buses a short time later at the scrap yard. According to police the buses had been taken apart.

The bus company provides school buses for Chicago Public Schools, but officials say no students were affected.

Sunrise president Gregory Bonnett says it will cost at least $75,000 to replace each bus.

City officials say the scrap yard, Gonzalez Auto and Truck Parts, has been cited for several violations since 2007, including operating without a license.