2 Boys Held in Vandalism at School in Palmdale

Two boys were in custody Friday on suspicion of causing at least $67,000 in damage in a vandalism spree at a public elementary school in Palmdale, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported.

Among the vandalized equipment were 15 IBM computer terminals and a computer mainframe that sustained $47,000 in damage when an automatic fire-extinguishing system was activated, sending fire-retardant foam into classrooms, officials said. Other damage included pried-open doors and ripped screens.

The boys, 12 and 15, were being detained at the sheriff’s Antelope Valley station on suspicion of felony vandalism, Lt. Dave Collin said. The boys, who are not students at the school, were noticed nearby shortly after deputies discovered the damage at Sumac Elementary School, in the 4000 block of East Avenue P-8, authorities said.