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Police Arrest 6 In Burglaries, Vandalism Of Clay Schools

ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- Six young suspects were arrested Friday in connection with the burglaries and vandalism of four Clay County schools, police said.

Thousands of dollars of damage was done to the schools, and the group, according to detectives, stole thousands of dollars in cash and property.
Police said the suspects broke windows to gain entry to the schools.

"They broke the panel in this window in the door, and opened it from the inside and then went into the building," said Ridgeview Elementary School Principal David Nix.

Once inside, the suspects allegedly stole computers and smashed expensive equipment. About $4,500 worth of equipment was stolen on Wednesday from Ridgeview, including laptops, projectors, cameras, money from teachers' desks, and vending machines. The vandals also used a fire extinguisher to damage a video production room and hallway.

Nix said the vandals also broken into portable classrooms, damaging expensive door handles that had to be replaced at the county's expense.
"It's pretty devastating to come to school and find it trashed," Nix said

The other schools that were burglarized and vandalized were Rideout Elementary, Ridgeview High School and Fleming Island High School.

Police arrested Brandon Dailey, 20; Noah Belcher, 18; and Justin Pol, 18. Three juveniles were also arrested, but their identities will remain concealed due to their ages.

Detective Cory Rosepiler, of the Clay County Sheriff's Office, said the big break in the case was a T-shirt left behind by one of the suspects.

Rosepiler said most of the stolen property in the incidents has been recovered and will soon be returned to the four schools involved.

He also said he's close to catching up with several other suspects allegedly involved in the incidents.

"They can be waiting, and I'll be there to find them. So, they don't need to rest easy," Rosepiler said.

None of the suspects arrested were students at the schools involved. All six are Clay County residents and have been charged with burglary and grand theft felonies.

If convicted, the suspects could owe as much as $20,000 in fines and restitutions.