An end-of-year vandalism spree at the Houston Middle School will lead to charges against two persons and referral to juvenile authorities against a third, Houston police said Monday. Damage totals several thousand dollars.
Widespread damage was reported after the vandals plugged several sinks and turned the water on. Chemical contents of a fire extinguisher were discharged on a gym floor.
A janitor found the mess early Friday morning.
Charges against two on second-degree burglary and property damage counts are expected against a Houston man and Raymondville woman. Both confessed to police. A 13-year-old Houston boy was referred to juvenile authorities.
Damage was widespread throughout the building: Sinks in the science rooms and boys’ and girls’ restrooms were plugged and the water turned on. In the downstairs boys’ bathroom the floor was covered with water, and several tiles had fallen due to the flooding in the upper level of the building, police said.
In a science room, a ceiling had caved in, and there was water damage to items on the desks near the rear of the room. Computer equipment also received damage. An upstairs classroom floor was also covered in water, causing extensive damage to another room downstairs.
An upstairs water fountain also was pulled from the wall, and a water knob had been tapped into an open position.
Police said entry to the building was made by pulling on the structure’s front door, which wasn’t properly locked.
Early this week, school administrators were attempting to arrive at a dollar estimate of the damage. “To fix it right, it’s going to be substantial,” predicts Houston Police Chief Carloss “Joe” Kirkman.