Four teens arrested Monday for criminal mischief, trespass
December 6, 2005
JOEL DAVIDSON\Frontiersman reporter
MAT-SU - Alaska State Troopers arrested four teenage boys at their Mat-Su homes Monday after they were charged in last week's vandalism of 44 Mat-Su school buses - an incident that forced the Mat-Su Borough School District to close schools for a day on Nov. 29.
Trooper spokesman Greg Wilkinson said the boys were in the custody of their parents over the weekend while troopers continued their investigation. The arrests Monday were pre-arranged so parents could be present when the boys were taken away to Mat-Su Youth Facility in Palmer.
Deryck Harris, 18, and the other three boys - ages 16, 17 and 17 - were each charged with third-degree criminal mischief, first-degree criminal trespass and conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, troopers said. The 16-year-old was also charged with fourth-degree theft and furnishing alcohol to a minor, for allegedly stealing a bottle of vodka from the liquor store at Tesoro 2-Go in Wasilla.
“They stopped at a liquor store where he went in and stole a bottle of vodka and provided it to the others in the group,” Wilkinson said. “Three of the four boys consumed alcohol.”
Troopers did not release names of the juvenile suspects, but David Coon's mother confirmed her son was one of two Burchell High School students involved in the incident. The other two boys are Wasilla High School students.
Mat-Su Youth Facility Superintendent Bruce Collins said youths in this situation must see a judge within 48 hours of their detention at the facility.
“The clock is ticking,” he said. “These guys will probably go to court today or tomorrow.”
Depending on the situation, Collins said the youths could face a number of different scenarios when they go before a judge.
“It can go a whole bunch of directions,” he said. “If they can't go back home, we don't have a whole lot of foster homes in the Valley. In that case they might stay with us. If they order psychological evaluations, they will stay with us until that can be completed.”
The boys are suspected of deflating tires in 44 First Student buses, breaking mirrors and unplugging 110 buses from their engine-block heaters, which caused the buses not to start in subzero weather on Nov. 29.
Contact Joel Davidson at 352-2266 or joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.
(22) comments
Why were not the names of the other offenders given? We all know who they are.
It seems to me that all of you out there are more into gossip, than what could help this country, afterall, how many of your friends or aquaintances, do u know that are perfect growing up? you have the right to judge? u must not have a life, or anyone in your family who have had altercations in their youth that made them grow up, and furthermore, the thing that matters, is, if they turn out to be useful good members of society, right? are u perfect? exactly!
Umm, seems like this Palin gal drags around a whole lot of baggage! She says that she can talk, chew gum, and whistle at the same time. Some of us have serious doubts about that though. Thank God she was not "installed", oh, but wait! We have a Supreme Court in this country! Maybe it's not to late! She may yet be "installed"!
You realize California gal that this story was posted in 2005, when the boy WAS 16?? You realize that's why it didn't name names?? Like, OMG, you make me, like, ashamed that I'm from California!! Do some research before posting!!
I believe it!! Political Candidates do it all the time to protect the FAMILY!! Just another example of her skills as a MOTHER!!
I don't think this is true because he was a juvenille when it happen. However, it is an indication that Palin may have a dysfunctional family system.
This would explain why the boy came to Michigan to attend high school. I mean, even though Alaska is "closest to Russia", he would not be considered as a foriegn exchange student. Also, in the last few years, more districts have had bus vandalism. Perhaps he taught our kids how to do it. Is this why he is in the service?
My cuz, an Alaska resident since leaving the military (he was in intelligence & asked to go CIA after discharge...what I'm saying is, he only gives facts)The report is true, including going into the army to avoid jail. I'm sure strings can be pulled for kids of VIP parents.
The article could refer to any 16 yr old youth - on what basis do you, or can, you conclude this is about Track Palin? This seems to be a wholey unjustifed inference. Another example of wanting to believe the worst to shore up one's partisan bias.
I don't think this story is true because once a child turns 18, his/her juvenile record is sealed and he/she is given a fresh start, negating the whole "join the army or go to jail" theory of Track's enlistment. And even though I'm a card-carrying Democrat from California, I'M TIRED OF THE GAMES! Let's focus on issues, people!
Could it not be more obvious that Palin cannot manage her own family? Unwanted pregnancy, juveline delinquent son, and God knows what is next. This woman's family is a disaster area and she will be a nightmare for our country.
Demswrong, obviously you haven't been paying attention. If you've been listening to Barack Obama, you would know that he's been sticking to the issues in every speech he's made. It's the McCain camp that continues to run a dirty campaign by attacking Obama, hiding Sarah Palin from the media and not educating the American people their plan to get us out of the mess that old George and the Republican party has put us in. So much baggage around this pick, the pregnancy no one noticed, the investigation around her ex-brother in-law and so on.
Sabotaging public facilities and equipment in a way that could cause serious injury or death is a form of terrorism. Think about it.
Desperation her. No Names except two mentioned and no value in the lies that have grown from this even.
YOU people need to get a life and get back to politics not looking for past dirt on people. get a da** life!!!!!!! and not it wasn't him that was involved it was a another punk that did it.believe me i know all of them involved. so go dig up some dirt on someone your own size!!!!
This just keeps getting better & better. This is just another reason Sarah isn't giving interviews...absolutely incredible. This like a soap opra...stay tuned.
Sue, do you by any chance mean you were accepted at WELLESLEY, Harvard, and Stanford? I would think someone as smart as you would know how to spell that name. You are right that Barack Obama is vrey intelligent and that does not threaten me as it seems to threaten so many people. I think it will be a great change of pace to have a smart president.
Why can't you people take the truth. No way will McCain/Palin win. Oh of course if they steal the election which by now the Repubs are masters at.
16, male, are you crazy? Why does this come up now that Gov Palin is running w/Sen McCain? More garbage, who is behind this? Obviously the Obama camp. Did you realize he went to the the most expensive, elite Academy in the nation? Punahou is the Harvard of High School, the elite of the nation. I was accepted to Wesley, Harvard & Stanford & disappointed & bored as we learned in our Sophmore and Junior yrs the curriculum taught in college. But boys will be boys & Obama was Barry Obama!
Pwned.The entire Palin family is like a well-dressed episode of Jerry Springer.
Very serious if true. The brake lines were cut on 50 buses!!Was Sarah Palin's son "Track Palin" arrested for vandalism ... Most recently there is discussion that Track Palin, then 16, was one of the 3 boys arrested for vandalizing 44 Mat-Su school buses - an incident that forced ...answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080904193702AAGlSCL -
I remember that story. Timeline makes it loosely plausible. Don't think this will catch fire without more fuel, though. Good luck.
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