Teens Suspected In Burglaries Targeting Lake Elsinore Schools And Church Arrested: Sheriff

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Two boys suspected of perpetrating a series of burglaries at school campuses throughout Lake Elsinore, as well as a church in the city, were behind bars Friday.

The suspects, identified only as 16-year-old Lake Elsinore residents, were arrested Thursday following a Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigation that started last month.

Sgt. Lacy Stutler alleged that the teens broke into several schools within the Lake Elsinore Unified School District in July and August, vandalizing property and stealing undisclosed items.

A church was also targeted during the serial break-ins, Stutler said, adding that the estimated damage from all of the burglaries totaled $300,000.

He said the ensuing investigation confirmed that the pair were not LEUSD students.

Warrants were served on the boys in the 16000 block of Lakeshore Drive, where they were taken into custody without incident Thursday.

They were booked into Riverside Juvenile Hall on suspicion of felony burglary and vandalism.

Bail information wasn't available.