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Teens Cause $100K In Damage To New Jersey School

By Robin Rieger

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS) – Three teenagers have been arrested after police say they caused $100,000 in damage to a school in New Jersey.

The incident happened on July 29th at the Bear Tavern School in Hopewell Township, Mercer County.

According to investigators, police initially responded to the school for a fire alarm. When officers arrived to the school, they found the exterior doors to the gym propped open.

As officers searched the building, they discovered a large amount of damage.

The damage consisted of several interior glass windows being broken, furniture being overturned and broken, several computers being damaged, including servers, book shelves were tipped over, and paint was thrown about on floors, the cafeteria stage and walls.

"There was dry chemical from fire extinguishers on the floor. There was pianos tipped over. There was paint that was thrown throughout the kitchen," said Hopewell Township Police Lieutenant Lance Maloney.

The areas of the school that were damaged include the gym, the cafeteria, the main office, the library and several classrooms.

Initial estimates to repair the damage are approximately $100,000.

Cleaning crews have begun wiping down classrooms and using machines to clean the air.

Information from an adult led police to the arrest of three 14-year-old Hopewell Township males who were charged with Burglary and Criminal Mischief. A fourth teen was charged with criminal trespassing to see what the other teens had done.

The juveniles were processed at police headquarters and released to their parents. Their cases will be heard in Family Court.

In addition to these juveniles, police are expected to file charges against two more juveniles.

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