3 Students Held in School Break-In Try

Three teenagers carrying Internet recipes on how to build a bomb were in Sylmar Juvenile Hall on Monday following their arrests on suspicion of trying to break into a science lab at Agoura High School, officials said.

The Agoura High students--two 15-year-old boys and a 14-year-old girl--were arrested on conspiracy and burglary charges about 2 a.m. Friday, the day of the school’s graduation ceremony, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Norman Campbell said.

Campbell said authorities are investigating whether the break-in attempt was related to graduation. Arson dogs searched the high school campus before the ceremony but found no evidence of explosive materials.

“What was most important was the safety of those kids who went to graduation that Friday,” Campbell said. “In these troubled times of Columbine and other school shootings, who’s going to take any chances?”

Campus security guards discovered the Agoura Hills teenagers early Friday with flashlights and other burglary tools, as well as excerpts from “The Anarchist’s Cookbook,” Campbell said. Instructions from the book stated that chemicals needed for making bombs could be found in high school science and chemistry labs.

Agoura High officials declined to discuss specifics of the case. But Principal Larry Misel said Monday that “strong disciplinary action has been and will be taken.”

Misel also reassured the community that the school is safe. “It was security that found them and stopped them,” he said.

The teenagers face a Wednesday hearing at Sylmar Juvenile Court.

Police said they will continue their investigation.