More students arrested in school vandalism
Six Brownsville students have been arrested by school police in connection with the burglary and widespread vandalism that rendered the entire Vermillion Elementary campus unable to hold classes on Monday.
Over the weekend an unknown number of people broke into the school, vandalizing some 50 classrooms, stealing various pieces of equipment and causing $60,000 to $100,000 in damage.
The culprits ransacked the rooms and turned on water faucets, causing water damage to rooms and equipment, Brownsville Independent School District officials said.
BISD Police Chief Oscar Garcia said the arrests are the result of an investigation that has also led to the recovery of some of the items.
Police say the items recovered include a telescope, a palm pilot, a radio, and three laptop computers.
Garcia said that on Monday morning police arrested their lead suspect, a fourth-grade student at BISD. Several tips to the Crime Stoppers hotline led investigators to two more suspects Monday evening.
"This (tip line) has given us some solid leads," the chief said. "The more people know about it the more it pays off."
BISD police prepared their officers Tuesday morning and contacted juvenile court officials as they prepared to make more arrests.
"This morning when school started we made sure we had all of our ducks in a row," he said.
Garcia said the detained students include two fourth-graders, one ninth-grader, two 10th-graders and one fifth-grader. All are BISD students, but Garcia would not say if any attended Vermillion.
The students are being charged with criminal mischief, burglary of a school and engaging in organized criminal activity.
According to school officials, the students face additional procedures that could lead to alternative education assignment or even expulsion.
Garcia said the investigation continues.
"We are confident that there will be more arrests in the future," he said. "We are looking to bring these kids to justice in front of a judge."
