SNOHOMISH — A judge Tuesday found probable cause to detain two teens believed responsible for toppling computers and causing extensive vandalism to Snohomish High School on the Fourth of July.
A boy, 17, and girl, 16, were arrested early Monday for investigation of second-degree burglary, first-degree malicious mischief, obstruction and under-age drinking.
The girl, who is from Snohomish, also was being held for investigation of third-degree assault. She reportedly spit on a police officer. The judge set bail at $1,000.
Prosecutors have three days to file charges against the teens.
“They trashed the place,” Snohomish police Cmdr. A.J. Bryant said.
Vandals ransacked the high school’s B building early Monday morning, damaging computers, bookshelves and a trophy case. The vandalism occurred in the library, the attendance office, counseling office and some hallways, according to the Snohomish School District.
A call from an alarm company alerted officers to two people inside the school’s B building, police and school officials said. Officers arrived three minutes later to take two teens into custody. Police from other departments also helped contain the building.
Damage at the scene could top $100,000, with at least 50 computers pushed over. Staff members are checking how many computers are still operational.
It could take several days to determine the extent of the damage, police and school district officials said. The school district has insurance coverage with a $10,000 deductible, district spokeswoman Kristin Foley said.
Police believe the pair also stole a cell phone. There are no other suspects, Bryant said.
The vandalism was horrible, school board president Jay Hagen said.
“These kids could be affected all of their lives for this pointless act,” said Hagen, a 1976 Snohomish High School graduate.
This B building is scheduled to be demolished in the fall as part of a construction project. All items were ready to be moved to the new Media Center Building when it’s finished later in the summer, Foley said. The teens were able to break into a case containing wrestling trophies, but most of the awards appear to be intact, she said.
Police did find trophies on the floor with some broken apart, Bryant said. It appeared that a trophy was used to break glass.
The pair apparently wanted to get on the roof of the school by climbing over a fence. They apparently found a broken window and went inside the building, Bryant said.
The case that was damaged contained up to five dozen trophies from different levels of competition since the 1970s and before, wrestling coach Rob Zabel said.
“The trophies don’t have a monetary value, but they certainly have a sentimental and historical value for us at the school,” he said. “It’s something we take pride in.”
Diana Hefley contributed to this story.
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