Police ID Mountain Home school vandals; damage estimate of $50,000

Police shortly after 3:30 p.m. Friday said they believe two teens were responsible for the damage at two elementary schools.

“These juveniles are cooperating with authorities at this time,” a press release from the Mountain Home Police Department stated.

Investigators will forward their findings to prosecutors for any possible charges. As the two suspects are juveniles, the police department doesn’t plan to provide further details at this time, the release states.

The vandalism is believed to have happened Wednesday night or early Thursday morning at North Elementary School, 430 North 3rd East St., and East Elementary School, 775 North 10th East St., Melanie Broughton, spokeswoman for MHPD, said earlier Friday. The suspects reportedly broke into the schools. The damages are expected to cost the schools more than $50,000. North sustained the most damage — around $40,000 — and East is facing around $10,000 in damages, Broughton said.

Broughton said two classrooms were flooded, glass was shattered, printers were destroyed and paint was thrown across the walls.

“It makes me sad. It's unbelievable that someone would do this,” she said.

Police had earlier called for tips. If you have information about the incident, call Det. Lawrence Saterfield at 208-587-2102. Or, you can leave an anonymous tip at www.mhpd.net.

This story was originally published May 27, 2016 at 9:02 AM with the headline "Police ID Mountain Home school vandals; damage estimate of $50,000."