Youths suspected in felony bus vandalism

October 25, 2011

Local authorities are looking for information regarding a felony vandalism case involving buses in the Bishop Unified School District motor pool last week.
According to the Bishop Police Department, officers responded to a report of three juveniles seen in the area of Elm and Home Street schools at about 2:30 a.m. Oct. 22.
“Upon search of Elm Street School, officers found small amounts of graffiti located on building number 36 and no further damage was located at the time of the original search.”
Officers were called back to the school at Elm Street at about 6:30 a.m. with reports of extensive damage to several buses.
“When officers arrived on scene, the damage appeared to be quite large,” a press release from Bishop PD states. “Due to the severity of the crime scene, officers requested assistance from the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department evidence technician.”
Bishop Unified School District Superintendent Barry Simpson said that six buses were vandalized by having windows broken with a club that bus drivers use to check for flat tires. He said approximately 25 windows were broken and a fire extinguisher was set off inside the buses.
“It was quite a mess and quite a bit of damage,” Simpson said.
The Bishop Police Department estimates the damage at $10,000 – equating to a felony vandalism charge for anyone who is found to be involved.
Simpson said the perpetrators were captured on several cameras in the school motor pool and authorities are currently attempting to get a positive identification from the security footage.
Judging from the security camera footage, Simpson said “it appears to be school-aged students” responsible for the vandalism.
“The Bishop Police Department, in conjunction with the assistance of the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the crime and is actively looking for suspects,” the press release states.
Anyone who may have information regarding the vandalism is encouraged to call Bishop Police Detective Bryan Rossy at (760) 873-5866.