HARTLAND — Two teenagers have been arrested after allegedly breaking into and vandalizing several buildings, including two schools and a community swimming pool, and causing several thousand dollars worth of damage, police said.

Police have charged a 13-year-old girl from Hartland and a 14-year-old boy from St. Albans each with two counts of burglary, four counts of criminal mischief and shoplifting, according to Chief Deputy Dale Lancaster of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department.

The damage was reported during the day on Thursday, starting with a complaint from a morning custodian at the Hartland Consolidated School, where someone used sticks and chunks of asphalt to break five windows and spray-painted graffiti on the exterior of the school.

Another custodian reported a burglary and vandalism at Somerset Valley Middle School around 5:30 a.m. Thursday. The cost of damage between the two schools is about $1,100 according to Regional School Unit 19 Superintendent Greg Potter.

At 9:15 a.m., there was also a complaint of burglary and vandalism at Hartland Public Pool on Elm Street. The pool cover, estimated to cost about $3,000, had been cut, the door of the building was pushed in and pool chemicals were spilled around the building, said Lancaster.

At around 1:30 p.m., a burglary was also reported at a vacant house on Academy Street, where the pair allegedly spray painted the walls of the house and the garage.

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A fifth burglary and theft was also reported at Game Guy, a video game store, on Commercial Street.

The teens have also been charged with shoplifting for allegedly taking candy and spray paint from a Family Dollar store on Elm Street. The estimated cost of damage in the case is expected to be well into the thousands, said Lancaster.

The sheriff’s department is working with the district attorney’s office on the investigation, and more charges are likely, said Lancaster. The two teens have been released to their parents, he said.

Rachel Ohm — 612-2368

rohm@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @rachel_ohm


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