Weston Police on Thursday arrested three teenage boys in connection with the vandalism at West Platte High School on July 8.
The three teenagers have been accused of causing more than $40,000 in property damage at the school.
Cyle Yeager, 17, of Platte City, and Gregory B. Schlick, 17, of Weston, were charged with second degree burglary and first degree property damage on Thursday. A third boy, 16-years-old, was taken into juvenile custody in connection with the matter.
“These arrests are the result of a lot of hard work by our officers,” Weston Police chief Terry Blanton said.
Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd said the charges were filed after Schlick and Yeager were arrested by Weston police on August 2.
“This extreme case of vandalism shocked the Weston school district and our community. On behalf of law enforcement and the community, I thank those who came forward and provided information leading to the arrests of these suspects,” Zahnd said.
According to court documents, on July 8, between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., Schlick, Yeager, and the juvenile allegedly climbed onto the roof of the school where they drank beer. Yeager then allegedly broke the hand off a clock in the clock tower, and he and Schlick damaged property on the roof.
Yeager and Schlick then allegedly broke into the school building through a window, where they damaged several vending machines, broke glass windows in offices and trophy cases, and destroyed various pieces of office furniture, copiers, computer equipment, trophies, security equipment, and audio-video equipment.
Yeager and Schlick also allegedly stole food items, two laptop computers, and a wooden paddle.
The damaged and stolen property is estimated to be worth $40,000 to $50,000.
Court documents indicate that some of the stolen property was later burned at the levee located on Kirks Bottom Road.
Court documents also state that Yeager’s right hand had several small cuts, consistent with statements that Yeager had cut his hand during the crime. Investigators recovered broken glass from the scene which appeared to have blood on it.
Yeager and Schlick are both in custody in lieu of cash-only bonds set at $50,000 and $25,000, respectively. The juvenile was transported to the Clay County Juvenile Detention Center.
Tips from the TIPS Hotline and statements from acquaintances of the defendants led to the arrests.
The case is being investigated by the Weston Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Platte County Assistant Prosecutor Robin Threlkeld.