Two boys from Delaware and one from Maryland were arrested after they allegedly played “bumper cars” with several school buses.
Police say it happened Sunday around 6:20 p.m. in the Advanced Student Transportation bus lot on Lambson Lane in New Castle, Delaware.
State Troopers received reports from local residents of three suspects inside the lot, driving and crashing school buses into each other. When Troopers arrived, they say they saw several school buses in motion within the lot. They also saw three boys exiting the vehicles and running away, according to investigators.
Troopers say they then located the boys in the area of Simonds Gardens, after receiving descriptions from witnesses. An 11-year-old boy from Elkton, Maryland, 12-year-old boy from New Castle and 13-year-old boy from New Castle were all taken into custody without incident.
Police say further investigation revealed the boys entered the lot and accessed 8 buses in all. The buses appeared to have been driven throughout the lot, suffering heavy damage after striking three fence gates, several areas of the perimeter fence and destroying a port-a-potty, according to investigators.
Police also say seven parked buses sustained damage after being struck by the buses the boys were driving. Police say the boys damaged 15 buses in all and caused over $22,500 in damage.
The 11-year-old and 12-year-old were both charged with motor vehicle theft, tampering with physical evidence, conspiracy, criminal mischief and trespass. The 13-year-old boy was charged with motor vehicle theft, conspiracy, criminal mischief and criminal trespass.
The three boys were released pending Family Court hearings.
