Police arrest two in school vandalism

Police have arrested two 14-year-old boys in connection to recent vandalism at several Oak Harbor schools.

Oak Harbor Police Capt. Rick Wallace said the two juveniles confessed to spray painting vulgarities and swastikas at Broad View Elementary, the two middle schools and at the skate park.

“They indicated that there was no message of hate,” Wallace said. “There was no explanation of why. They said it was just something to put up there.”

The two will be charged with malicious mischief in the second degree, he said.

The first incident occurred just before school was out for winter break. They spray painted swastikas, a penis and the f-word at North Whidbey Middle School.

Vandalism continued at the other schools. Broad View bore the brunt of the damage. In addition to the misspelled message of “reveng destruction,” the juveniles lobbed eggs at several classrooms.

Several other incidents of vandalism occurred, but are not related, Wallace said.

“The investigator has determined that, to a high degree of probability, there’s no connection,” Wallace said.

At Broad View, rocks were thrown through seven windows and a tree was set ablaze.

A person or persons smashed through a window at Hillcrest Elementary and attempted to set off the sprinkler system. The vandalism caused several thousand dollars in damage.

Information from students at the schools led investigators to the juveniles, who subsequently confessed.

Police continue to search for the person or persons responsible for the broken windows and fires.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.