Boy, 14, Arrested in School Vandalism

Authorities have arrested a 14-year-old boy in connection with what school officials call one of the worst cases of vandalism to hit Camarillo’s Pleasant Valley School District.

The boy was arrested Thursday for his alleged involvement in a break-in last Saturday night at Tierra Linda Elementary School on Woodcreek Road. Authorities say the boy, perhaps with other youngsters, is suspected of causing about $10,000 in damage.

Vandals jumped a fence and smashed a window to enter the school office, where they smashed computer equipment and furniture. They also sprayed the room with several dry-chemical fire extinguishers and with chocolate syrup stored in a refrigerator that was toppled.

“This incident was probably the most just outright effort to destroy that we have seen,” Associate Supt. Harold Hamilton said.

Authorities would not identify the arrested boy because of his age. However, they said he is a former student of the district.

The vandalism angered and saddened faculty members and parents, who spent about eight hours Sunday cleaning up the mess.

“This was the newest school in the district and there was a lot of pride and joy out in the area. And someone wantonly defaced it,” said Hamilton.

District officials are still assessing the damage and are paying close attention to computer data.

“We had some computers damaged and we’re not sure what was lost and what’s still there,” said district spokeswoman Sherry Cole.

The chocolate syrup and fire extinguishers were used to damage the computers, she said.

“The parents are responsible for the damage,” Cole said.

Hamilton said the incident reinforces the importance of parents knowing what their children are doing, especially at night.

“Parents need to be aware of where their kids are. Kids have no business being on school premises after 5 o’clock, in the fenced-in areas near the office,” Hamilton said. ‘