Day care van used in smash and grab

MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) - Police said the van used in that attempted ATM heist was stolen from a Mobile day care.

Vision Village Day Care is located on Broad Street. The theft is causing an expense it can't afford.

Things don't seem to be amiss inside one Vision Village Pre-K classroom. Students sit at two tables, reading their favorite books. Outside, it's a different story. One of the daycare's vans is missing, and it was used in a crime.

The Vision Village director noticed the van missing and made a few phone calls to try and track it down. It's location would surprise everyone.

Jessie Osborn, assistant administrator of Vision Village, said drivers from St. Peters Baptist Church also leave a note, but not this time.

"The director called and said, 'Does anyone have the blue van?' We share it with the church, and usually when they borrow it they leave their car," said Osborn.

That's when the staff knew they'd been burglarized. The van now considered evidence in a police investigation.

The theft places a big burden on the daycare, which serves more than 100 children of all ages.

"It's going to be a tremendous burden. We pick them up from school, take them home. This was not a surplus, this was a need. We need that van," said Osborn.

Osborn said for now, drivers will have to make extra trips or use personal vehicles to pick up kids.

Anyone that would like to help the Vision Village replace the van can call 251-433-7020.