FOX 4 WFTX - Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples News, Weather3 teen suspects arrested for vandalizing Lee County school
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What happened inside the walls of Bonita Springs Elementary School made jaws drop: trashed classrooms, broken computers, and graffiti everywhere.
Dwayne Alton - "It's definitely the worst I've ever seen: A lot of damage to furniture, a lot of damage to technology equipment."
Fernando Mateo - "The guys came inside the building, everything from the inside, they pulled it down, just pulled it up and pulled it down. Everything."
Deputies say suspects Brandon Strickler, John Motes And William Steffen caused more than $100,000 worth of destruction.
Dwayne Alton - "You will not believe it when you see the crime scene photos. I've never seen anything like it."
School officials would not let FOX 4 inside the gate, but they tell me the cleanup effort has been going on all day since this happened...all in an effort to get this trashed schools ready for students by Monday morning."
From cleaning crews to teachers tasked with picking up the pieces, all hands were in the classrooms, taking care of this major mess. Al Bailleres says he's spearheading a neighborhood watch group nearby, pointing to incidents like this where deputies need more eyes on the streets.
Al Bailleres - "We can move forward with a comprehensive effort that involves the community at large also."
Deputies say the suspects are facing felony charges: burglary and committing a felony while wearing a mask. Meanwhile, the cleanup at Bonita Elementary is prepared to go deep into the night. School District Spokesman Joe Donzelli says the suspects broke at least 30 windows.
Al Bailleres - "The cleanup crew has done an amazing job I mean you won't believe. You'll actually have to see the before and after pictures to fully appreciate what they've accomplished."
A Halloween weekend horror story people at this school will be haunted for years.
Grant Boxleitner
Fox 4 In Your Corner
