Tips lead to Mtn. View HS vandalism arrests

Thanks to security camera video and tips to NewsChannel 21’s Crime Stoppers program, two 16-year-old boys have been arrested in a destructive vandalism spree at Mountain View High School late last month, police said Thursday.

One of the teens taken into custody last Sunday was a former student at the school, and both now attend alternative high schools, said Sgt. Ron Taylor.

Around 1 a.m. on Thursday, June 28th, the pair were caught on surveillance video damaging several vending machines and stealing merchandise from them, Taylor said.

The crimes were reported on a NewsChannel 21 Crime Stoppers segment on July 5th, leading to several tips that helped police identify the suspects, the sergeant said.

They face charges of second-degree burglary, second- and third-degree criminal mischief and third-degree theft, Taylor said.

One of the boys was lodged at the Deschutes County Juvenile Detention Center, while the other was issued a citation in lieu of custody, the officer said.

“The Bend Police Department extends its thanks to everyone who provided tips through the Crime Stoppers Tip Line,” Taylor said in a news release.

Security-camera video shows the pair with an uninstalled sprinkler pipe, bashing in vending machines full of goodies.

The team of crooks cart their $80 worth of stolen snacks around in a blue recycling bin as they hit up a total of four vending machines.

Not appearing to be in any rush to get out of the school, they even take time to stop by the gym, but not to exercise. Police say the two threw a mop into a basketball hoop and climbed up a wall.

Police suspected the vandals had ties to the school, because furniture was piled high, hiding another vending machine — and somehow they knew just where it was.

“They’re in on this together — they’re obviously committing the same crimes together,” said Bend police Officer Ashley Volz.

She told us the pair did an estimated $700 in damage to just one of the vending machines alone.

“Burglary is one thing they can be charged with. Criminal mischief is obviously another big charge — that’s also a felony charge at this point, due to the value,” said Volz.