Four Bainbridge juveniles arrested for theft, vandalism | UPDATED

Bainbridge Police Thursday arrested two 14-year-old boys who police believe were involved in a burglary at the Bainbridge Aquatic Center Wednesday, as well as numerous acts of vandalism over the past two weeks.

BIPD Lt. Sue Shultz said the investigation was ongoing and more arrests were expected.

Shultz said suspects apparently gained access to the Aquatic Center through a rear door between 3:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, and stole items from eight lockers in a locker room. Items included jewelry, wallets, cell phones and cash.

Most of the missing items were recovered during the arrests, Shultz said.

The juveniles are also suspected in a rash of graffiti that began Nov. 8, when numerous spray painted tags were discovered on buildings and roadways in the vicinity of Bainbridge High School.

Many of the tags included the letters “BSO.” Police believe the youths were likely copying marks used by a well known gang in California.

Since Nov. 8, police investigated more than 15 additional reports of vandalism, including several incidents involving similar graffiti tags.

Total damage from the vandalism was estimated to be more than $13,000.

Shultz said officers had already identified the two juveniles as persons of interest in the vandalism cases earlier this week. A corroborating witness account from the burglary led to the arrests Thursday she said. The juveniles were arrested on charges of burglary, theft and multiple counts of first-degree malicious mischief.