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Teens charged in school break-in
Published November 21, 2009
Four teenagers who police say broke into the old North Heights Elementary School and started at least 20 small fires have been charged with burglary.
Reports released by the Del Rio Police Department earlier this week show the four teen boys - two 15-year-olds and two 14-year-olds - caused an estimated $2,000 damage inside the old elementary school, located at 1100 Ave. C. Among the items the teens are alleged to have burned are a U.S. flag.
The names of the four teenagers were not released by police as Texas law protects the identity of persons under the age of 17 who are charged with criminal offenses.
DRPD Capt. Bill Rattay said police officers were dispatched to the school, which is currently vacant, about 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, after police dispatchers received calls about a possible burglary in progress at the building.
Rattay said DRPD Officers Mario Cervantes, Gabriel Soriano and Donald Fernandez, Jr. made entry onto the grounds of the old school and began searching the area.
Rattay said police officers entered the main building of the old school, found it full of smoke and saw several small fires on the floor. Police called for the Del Rio Fire and Rescue Department, which arrived and cleared the building.
Rattay said Cervantes reported he was in the area of the school cafeteria when he saw someone running away.
Cervantes reported that he ordered the person to stop, and the person turned out to be one of the 15-year-olds.
Cervantes located another young man, who also ran, but ignored the officer's command to stop.
Police officers outside the school grounds, including DRPD Senior Officer Raymond Adauto and DRPD Officer Manuel Aguilar, soon rounded up the remaining suspects.
The four youths were taken to the police station to be interviewed.
Rattay said the four teens all gave statements to police regarding their involvement in the break-in at the old school building.
“Pending further investigation, the case will be forwarded to the district attorney's office,” Rattay said.
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