Two teenagers stole at least $3,000 worth of items and caused about $5,000 worth of damage in a series of break-ins and burglaries at Crossroads Christian School, police said.
The teens, a 17-year-old male from San Martin and a 16-year-old male from Gilroy, were arrested Sunday after an investigation into the reported crimes, Morgan Hill Sgt. Jerry Neumayer said.
Police responded to a report of a burglary at the Wright Avenue school about 9:30 a.m. Saturday. School staff and police found that someone forced their way into the school through a window and ransacked two offices. Video surveillance footage showed two suspects breaking holes in the sheet rock of an interior wall and ceiling tiles to gain entry into the offices, Neumayer said.
The thieves caused damage to structures and furniture, and stole walkie-talkies before fleeing the school. The crimes happened sometime overnight Dec. 4 or early the next morning.
Following witness interviews and an investigation, Morgan Hill detectives and Gilroy police visited the home of a possible suspect on Hanna Street in Gilroy about 10 p.m. Sunday. While officers were inside searching the home for evidence, two teenage males entered the home. One of them was carrying a box full of potentially stolen aluminum, Neumayer said. They were each wearing gloves and were carrying the same walkie-talkies stolen from Crossroads Christian School the previous night. Furthermore, they resembled the two suspects seen on surveillance video of the crimes, according to police.
Also at the Gilroy home, police recovered more stolen items from a previous burglary reported at the school Nov. 9, including a guitar and an amplifier.
The teens, whose names police did not reveal, were arrested and booked at the Morgan Hill police station. They were released to their parents with a citation, Neumayer said.
Anyone with more information about these crimes or thinks they might be a victim can call Morgan Hill police at (408) 779-2101 or the anonymous tip line at (408) 947-7867.
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