Young Suspects Accused Of Vandalism
POSTED: Thursday, July 2, 2009
UPDATED: 6:59 pm EDT July 2,
2009
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. -- Columbia County detectives have arrested three juveniles who are accused of burglarizing and vandalizing several buildings at Ft. White High School.
Investigators said the first burglary happened the night of Monday, June 29. The sheriff's office said two suspects got into the school's agricultural building and left the water running at eye wash stations. Investigators said that caused little damage. They said the two suspects then drove a school golf cart into a retention pond.
The sheriff's office said a second burglary happened the following night. Investigators said the two suspects from the first burglary, as well as a third suspect, went into the agricultural building again, and caused extensive damage. They said the floor was flooded with water, fire extinguishers were discharged, and profane graffiti was spray-painted on the walls. Paint was also splashed on one part of the school's floor, investigators said.
According to the sheriff's office, the suspects also damaged several trophies. In the school gym, fire extinguishers were discharged onto a new gym floor, investigators said. That left a white residue which damaged the floor. The sheriff's office said several other buildings, including a construction trailer, were also broken into.
Detectives identified the suspects and arrested them. Investigators said the juveniles confessed to the crimes. They were released to their parents, and face felony charges of burglary, criminal mischief, and grand theft.
Detectives estimate the damage to the school is more than $10,000.
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