CITIES : School Owners, 4 Others Accused in Bombing of Ex-Teachers’ Cars
Two Dana Point women, roommates and partners in a chain of preschools and elementary schools in Orange and San Bernardino counties, were arrested by federal agents for allegedly hiring mercenaries for the firebombing of former employees’ cars.
The complicated allegations reached back to Hueyville, Ala., where Franklin Camper, 38, the owner and operator of a mercenary-survivalist training center, was arrested with two associates. A third was being sought.
The government alleges that the two women, Charlotte Ruth Wyckoff, 51, and Elizabeth Leta Hamilton, 39, spent thousands of dollars to hire Camper and a three-man team to intimidate and assault former teachers at the women’s schools. Two cars belonging to former employees were firebombed on the same day last August.
The former employees, who had been fired, had complained to state agencies, claiming violation of regulations at the schools.
The schools, once named California Learning Centers, are now called Pacific Coast Preparatory Schools. One is in San Juan Capistrano.
All six defendants are charged with conspiracy, arson and use of napalm-like gasoline devices.
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