More students arrested in school vandalism

BROWNSVILLE — School district police arrested six students Tuesday in connection with the burglary and vandalism of Vermillion Elementary.

Over the weekend, an unknown number of people broke into the school, vandalizing some 50 classrooms, stealing various pieces of equipment and causing between $60,000 and $100,000 in damage.

The culprits ransacked the rooms and turned on water faucets, causing water damage to rooms and equipment, Brownsville school district officials said. The district had classes in the Rivera High School gym Monday because of the damage.

School district police Chief Oscar Garcia said the arrests are the result of an investigation that has also led to the recovery of some of the stolen items, including a telescope, a PDA, a radio and three laptop computers.

Police arrested their lead suspect, a fourth-grade student, on Monday, the chief said.

Several tips to the Crime Stoppers hotline led investigators to two more suspects Monday evening.

"This (tip line) has given us some solid leads," Garcia said. "The more people know about it, the more it pays off."

Garcia said the detained students include two fourth-graders, one fifth-grader, one ninth-grader and two 10th-graders. All are students in the Brownsville school district, but the chief 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."

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Ildefonso Ortiz is a reporter for The Brownsville Herald.