July 27, 2000
Police in Utah County have cracked the case of a series of school vandalism incidents.
For the last six weeks, vandals have caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage to several schools.
Central Utah News Specialist Reed Cowan has news of arrests.
"How did it look? It was a mess...it was a mess."
The mess at Rocky Mountain Elementary in Lindon shares all the markings of mess-makers in common.
Paint and glue streaking school carpets and even window blinds, making for quick clean up before school starts.
Peggy Black/Teacher: "I felt so bad when I walked by. District workers in there on their hands and knees cleaning up and working instead of working with kids on educational issues."
Police say this was a message sent by vandals in the form of ruined ceiling tiles and more.
Reed Cowan, Central Utah Correspondent: "In short, it's trashed. District workers have been trying to replace what they can. Look at this Macintosh-- paint all over the screen, glue in the CD ROM. And look at this keyboard--unuseable. Can't push down on the buttons."
Just one of many things ruined, along with items stolen from nine Utah County schools in all. Local police didn't make any connection between the incidents until another hit, this time at American Fork's Dan Peterson School.
Lt. Andrew Hale/A.F. Police: "We found out other schools were broken into. Then it all tied together."
An overnight officer noticed a suspicious car in the school parking lot. After a little digging the connection was made, ending in three arrests. It's comforting for teachers, who are still counting the costs at tens of thousands in damage.
Patti Ratliff, Teacher: "It's difficult at best to prepare a room for the next year and then you see the damage and it disappoints you."
Of the three people arrested for the crimes, one is eighteen and the other two are under 18. They face charges of third degree felony burglary.
