Cops flush homecoming prank plans after seizing 650 toilet paper rolls in ‘Operation Clean Sweep’
After warning students not to let homecoming pranks cross the line, an Illinois police department found itself staring down one very unusual haul.
Plainfield police intercepted a massive toilet paper stash allegedly headed for neighborhood homes after reports of masked groups targeting the area near Plainfield North High School.
"And yes… 650 rolls.
We counted," police said.
Police displayed the haul under an "Operation Clean Sweep" banner and jokingly gave it an estimated "street value" of $1,708.66 after two nights of escalating complaints from the surrounding community.
TRENDING 'SENIOR ASSASSIN' GAME DRAWS STARK WARNINGS FROM POLICE NATIONWIDE: 'DANGEROUS MISUNDERSTANDINGS' "Homecoming is not a free pass to damage someone else's property or disrupt their quality of life," the department wrote on Facebook.
FLORIDA POLICE DEPARTMENT GOES VIRAL WITH GENIUS STRATEGY TO CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY Officers received double-digit calls for service involving teens on both Monday and Tuesday during a two-hour period beginning shortly after 7 p.m. in the area surrounding the high school, according to police.
Residents reported that homes and vehicles had been targeted with toilet paper, eggs, ketchup, detergent pods and other items.
Police said groups of 20 to 25 people wearing hoodies and ski masks would "pull up" in several vehicles at the same time and "cause chaos." STUDENT CHARGED, WEAPON RECOVERED AFTER 3 TEENS TARGETED IN INCIDENT LINKED TO HIGH SCHOOL TRADITION: POLICE The targets were not limited to friends or classmates.
Some of the homes belonged to families with small children or residents with no children at all, police said.
"At this point, we are seeing property damage and significant cleanup, and residents are understandably frustrated," the department wrote.
COPS HALT PLANNED 'TEEN TAKEOVER' AS OFFICIALS BRACE FOR A SUMMER SURGE IN CHAOS AND ARRESTS: POLICE CHIEF The department also made clear that the homecoming calls were pulling police attention from more serious incidents.
Officers assisted firefighters at a structure fire, helped Illinois State Police, made a DUI arrest and responded to crashes, intoxicated people, violations of protection orders and a family experiencing a mental health crisis, according to the post.
"In short, we DO have better things to do," police wrote.
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