UPDATE: Two adults have now been arrested in connection with the vandalism at Avenal Elementary School. The Kings County Sheriff's Office arrested Martin Sandoval and Belem Moreno, both of Avenal, and charged them with possession of stolen property and accessory to a crime. Police say Moreno is the mother and Sandoval the step father of two of the juveniles involved in the vandalism, and that the juveniles reportedly told them that a laptop computer they had was stolen from the school. The parents reportedly wiped the computer of fingerprints and hid it in a remote location instead of calling police. Police say the two boys eventually told police and led them to the spot where the computer had been hidden.
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Five juveniles have been arrested in connection with a burglary, vandalism and arson at Avenal Elementary School, that authorities said caused about $250,000 in damage.

The juveniles range in age from 10-12 years old.

Kings County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the school, located at 500 S. First Avenue in Avenal, around 6:00 a.m. Monday morning for a possible burglary report.

According to a Sheriff’s Department news release, when deputies arrived they discovered that the suspects had vandalized the main building as well as the office, classroom spaces and the cafeteria.

A wide array of office machines and televisions and at least 25 computers were also vandalized or destroyed.

Authorities said a majority of the safety glass windows on the classroom doors were broken. The floors of almost every single classroom were covered with paint, glue and food, causing major damage to carpets, wood and linoleum flooring.

Responding deputies also found evidence that a fire had been started inside the main building.

Investigators believe the incident occurred on Sunday, July 6, sometime between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The Kings County Sheriff is still investigating this crime.

Please contact the Kings County Sheriff's Office at 582-3211 with any information.