Anthony Yates
Police in Florida responded to a fire alarm at an elementary school during the night. They found the area vandalized, and an investigation revealed that the suspects were students.
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What happened: According to a news release by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, officers responded to an alarm at the Friendship Elementary School in Deltona earlier this week.
- Officers arrived at the scene and found a shattered glass door. They also discovered that the school’s media center was vandalized.
- The Sheriff’s office released bodycam footage from September 14 at around 1 am. An officer enters the room, weapon raised. Items on the shelves were tossed onto the floor, and several tables and chairs were overturned. Authorities revealed photos of two persons of interest and pleaded with anyone with information to get in touch.
- Per FOX 35, Sheriff Mike Chitward noted they wrote on the walls and tables and let off a fire extinguisher.
Parents got involved: Authorities posted an update the following day with the title, “CASE UPDATE: Their moms turned them in.” The news release reveals the suspects are a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old. After releasing the photos, the Sheriff’s Office received several emails, and the parents promptly contacted them.
The Students Caused At Least $50,000 Worth Of Damage To The Elementary School
Multiple break-ins: Authorities say that the students caused at least $50,000 of damage to the media center. They reportedly broke in during the day and started wrecking the place. The pair returned during the night to “look at the damage and cause more.”
- The Volusia Sheriff’s Office reveals they are charging the students with two counts of burglary and two counts of trespassing on school grounds. They also face charges of criminal mischief and theft.
- Per the Independent, Chitwood praised the parents for their cooperation. “I’ve got to give the moms credit. They called us, they didn’t tell the kids we were coming, and when they were questioned, they confessed to what they did,” he reportedly said. “One of them then went up to the bedroom and got out some items that were stolen from the school. A radio and some digital cameras, and turned them over to us,” he added.
