Four juvenile suspects in possession of a firearm, were arrested Wednesday night after committing multiple crimes over the course of two days.
On Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at 5:39PM, patrol officers responded to Ballantine Pl. and Tamayo St. on a report of suspicious subjects in the neighborhood. Residents called about a group who they believed were attempting to break into homes. Witnesses observed the group trying to get into the yards of their neighbors. Officers arrived on scene and detained four juveniles, ages 15, 16, 17, and 17. Officers also located an unloaded semi-automatic firearm near a backpack that the group had discarded.
Officers linked the group of juveniles to a major burglary of American High School on the morning of 04/01/20. Construction crews had arrived at the school to find the group vandalizing a classroom. The group fled the scene as officers were responding. Officers examined the classroom and found the group had set fire and punctured numerous holes into the walls, pulled a projector from the ceiling, and poured glue all over the exterior.
Officers also matched the group to a series of residential burglaries and attempt burglaries in the Centerville District on 03/31/20. The group was also involved in a large fight on the same day in the area of Chapel Wy. and Bay St.
All four juveniles were interviewed and released to their parents with officers requesting criminal charges for several counts of burglary, attempt burglary, possession of a firearm, and vandalism.
Officers will seek restitution for the damage to American HS through the juvenile court proceedings
