UPDATE: Two identified in connection with vandalism at local schools

Mountain Home police have identified two teenagers in connection with vandalism involving two local schools earlier this week.

City police are currently preparing charges against both individuals, whose names and ages are currently being withheld by authorities.

Police spokesperson Officer Melanie Broughton said both teens are currently being questioned by police and are cooperating with authorities.

Vandals caused an estimated $40,000 in damage to classrooms and other areas in North Elementary School with at least an additional $10,000 in damage to East Elementary School.

Police responded to North and East elementary schools regarding the break-ins, which they suspect happened late Wednesday or early Thursday.

When officers arrived on scene, they discovered significant damage inside both schools. They estimated the damage to be in excess of $40,000 at North and $10,000 at East.

According to district superintendent James Gilbert, this week's incident was the third time someone had broken into East Elementary. In two of the break-ins, those involved broke windows to gain entry into the building.

A dozen windows were smashed in at North Elementary School, including this one at the school's main office.

It was the same method used to get into to North Elementary, Gilbert said.

In addition to breaking a number of additional windows at North, those involved took several iPads and destroyed a photo copier valued at $25,000, the district superintendent said. They also plugged the sinks in two classrooms and turned on the water, flooding both of them.

At East, the vandals damaged a switch that connects the school's computers to the network. They also poured soda on two copiers, which if they can't be repaired would drive up the damage at the school to at least $70,000, Gilbert said.

Those with any additional information regarding either incident are asked to call Detective Lawrence Saterfield at 587-2101. People can also submit anonymous tips on the department's website at www.mhpd.net under the "silent witness" link.