Man strips naked, smears self with oil in bizarre Pennsylvania school burglary

SCRANTON, Pa. — A Pennsylvania man is accused of breaking into an elementary school Wednesday night, stripping himself naked and smearing oil on his body, which he then used to slide across the gym floor, authorities said.

Nathan James Linder, 21, of Scranton, is charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief, according to The Citizens' Voice in Wilkes-Barre. Linder was booked Friday into the Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $5,000 bond.

Scranton police officials told WNEP in Scranton that Linder, a former Scranton High School student, gained access to Neil Armstrong Elementary School by forcing open a maintenance door. The school's burglar alarm went off, though neighbors of the school told the news station they did not hear the alarm sound.

The school principal initially thought the oil on the gym floor was an end-of-the-year prank. When he reviewed security footage, however, he saw video of the burglar.

"Once inside the school, the male took his clothes off and was walking through at least a portion of the school without any clothes on," Scranton police Chief Carl Graziano told the news station.

The burglar was also seen drinking a carton of milk he apparently took from the cafeteria, the Voice reported. The break-in happened sometime after maintenance workers finished their shift around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The school was closed for the day Thursday so administrators could clean up and ensure that there was no additional vandalism in the building. Students returned to class Friday.

Administrators also shared the video footage, which was released to local media, the Voice reported. Shortly after the images were released, a school resource officer recognized Linder from his time at Scranton High.

Investigators called Linder's mother, who brought him to the police department, according to WBRE-TV.

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