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Nine were immediately taken into custody around after a 2:11 a.m. alarm brought his department, Carney said.
“A search of the school discovered extensive damage, including broken desks and chairs, urine in the hallways, graffiti and Vaseline smeared on the doors,” the chief told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.
Other departments raced to the school, and the arrests were completed about two hours later, he said.
Teaneck High School, Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli
- YOU READ IT HERE FIRST (May 21, 2014): Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli today downgraded criminal charges against two dozen adults and complaints against 39 juveniles charged in an overnight prank gone wild at Teaneck High School. READ MORE ….
Teaneck police requested the Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit to sweep the building, as well as vans to transport those seized.
One of the sheriff’s two dogs gave a positive indication on a classroom where eight juveniles were found hiding.
Carney thanked the sheriff’s office, along with the Bergen County Police Department, Palisades Interstate Parkway Police and police from Bergenfield, Bogota, Creskill, Dumont, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Fort Lee, Glen Rock, Hackensack, New Milford, Palisades Park, Paramus, Ridgefield and Ridgefield Park .
“I apologize if we missed any agency,” he said. “We are still in the process of reviewing the response.”
The chief believes police caught most of those responsible, some of whom tried to hide inside the building and others grabbed while making a run for it. A small number hopped fences and vanished into the night.
All were taken to Teaneck Police Headquarters and processed, Carney said, adding that the adults were due in Teaneck Municipal Court.
Parents and guardians of all the juveniles were called to retrieve them, the chief said.
“At this time, we have not determined how entry into the building was made,” Carney said. “The investigation is ongoing.”
The adults were being charged criminally and the younger teens issued delinquency complaints for burglary and criminal mischeif.
School officials had classes today but had students gather in the gym first. The building needs a massive cleanup but no major repairs, Schools Superintendent Barbara Pinsak said during a morning news conference. Officials will discipline those involved, she added.
TOP: Nj.com photo
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