2 Teens Suspected in School Burglaries

Police said Tuesday they have arrested two teenage boys in connection with the theft of four televisions and vandalism to two computers at Chaparral Middle School.

Two burglaries, which allegedly occurred in late January and early February, caused an undisclosed amount of damage to several computers owned by the school and the theft of one television, police said.

Three additional televisions were stolen from a special education classroom run by the Ventura County superintendent of schools on the Chaparral campus.

One of the computers at the school was damaged beyond repair, and the burglary caused school officials to close the computer lab for several days until it could be cleaned up, Principal Mike Berger said.

After an investigation, police arrested a 15-year-old boy about a month ago. Authorities arrested the second suspect, also 15, last week, said Sheriff’s Department Det. Allen Devers.

Both suspects were cited on suspicion of commercial burglary. The case has been turned over to Ventura County Youth Services and the district attorney’s office.

If the students are convicted, Chaparral will seek compensation for the damage to the computers and for the stolen televisions from the suspects or their parents, Berger said.