Three
Juveniles Arrested for Prank Calls That Led to Lockdowns |
By Lookout Staff
February 1 -- A boy and two girls were arrested Wednesday
for making prank calls that led to lockdowns at two Santa Monica
middle schools Tuesday afternoon, police said.
The two 13-year-old girls and 12-year-old boy were each issued citations and
released to their parents, police said. The juveniles admitted to their roles
in the prank-calls.
The case has been sent to the los Angeles District Attorney’s office
for review, police said.
The suspects used their cell phones to make the prank calls reporting
that there was someone armed with a gun on the campuses of John
Adams and Lincoln Middle Schools. (see
story)
Initially, police were unable to trace the calls, which were made to the California
Highway Patrol, back to their sources.
The case was cracked the old-fashioned way, said Lt. Alex Padilla, the Police
Department spokesman.
“It was just good old police work,” Padilla said.
The two campuses were under lockdown for most of Tuesday afternoon as police
searched for the armed subject.
During the lockdowns, children hid under desks and parents waited anxiously
outside, according to witnesses.
Police concluded the searches shortly after 5 p.m., but found no evidence of
anyone with a gun on either campus, Padilla said.
This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with additional information should
call the Santa Monica Police Department at 310.458.8427 (24 hours) or call Detectives
at 310.458.8451 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME
(27463).
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