Full Notification

The Columbia Township Police Department has continued to investigate burglaries of the Columbia Middle School in Brooklyn. Several juvenile suspects have been identified and interviewed, and have given confessions.

I t was previously reported that Officer Cody Cratsenburg was dispatched to 321 School Street (Columbia Middle School) on Saturday, June 21, 2014, at approximately 11:24 A.M., as staff had arrived to find a broken window and damage inside the school. After breaking the window and gaining entry, a subject or subjects had gone through the school, scattering paint throughout the building on the walls, hallways, and lockers. The paint was from on-site, and although there was a significant amount spread throughout the building, it is water based and will clean up.

On June 25th, 2014 at 3:05pm Officer Rick Rodden was dispatched to 1100 block of Brooklyn Rd for a breaking and entering of a closed business (in progress). Officer Rodden was able to apprehend three juvenile males at the scene. The three juveniles were detained and transported to the Columbia Township Police Department. The parents of the suspects were contacted and initial interviews were conducted. Through interviews that day, as well as follow-up interviews the next day, the juveniles admitted to breaking into the business as well as the burglary of the Columbia Middle School, on two occasions.

A total of 7 juveniles have been identified ranging in age from 12 years of age to 15 years of age, some from Columbia Township, and several from outside the area.

The parents of the suspects are noted to have been fully cooperative. The suspects were released into their parent’s custody upon completion of the interviews, and the police report will be completed and forwarded to the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s office for review of charges (juvenile petitions) of burglary, as well as malicious destruction of property.