SAUGUS — Police are investigating a vandalism incident that occurred at the Veterans Memorial Elementary School this week.
Saugus Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli said his department received an alert around 4:30 p.m. Sunday from a resident who reported several juveniles on bikes broke into the building and were vandalizing the property.
Upon arrival, investigators detected a “small amount” of vandalism inside the school.
“A few things were smashed,” Ricciardelli said. “Our biggest concern was that the kids were still inside the school, but we searched the entire building and couldn’t find anyone in the school.”
He said a search of the surrounding area for the suspects turned up negative. A piece of equipment formerly thought to be a broken laptop was later determined to possibly be an Xbox. Whether or not it was property of the school wasn’t immediately clear, Ricciardelli said.
School Committee member Dennis Gould said he believes a group of 10 to 15 youths seen harassing residents in the area in previous weeks may be responsible for the break-in.
“I saw them one day,” Gould said. “They were driving right in the middle of the street doing their wheelies, like they’ve been doing to people, and when I got up towards Hurd Avenue, I took a right on School Street and they turned around and gave me the finger.”
Gould also noted that the young people have been seen taunting children on the playground and swearing at residents.
“We’ve got this beautiful new playground that parents are trying to take their kids down to and enjoy, and they can’t because the kids are swearing. People have talked to them, and (the kids) just ignore them,” he said.
He said he hopes to see a Saugus Police officer dispatched to watch the area near the school and playground to prevent future issues.
“We spent a lot of money on the parks around Saugus, and if people can’t enjoy them, it’s terrible,” he said.
School Committee Chair Thomas Whittredge said he wasn’t able to comment on an active investigation.
Anyone with information about the break-in should contact Det. Robert Stanley at 781-941-1187.
Elyse Carmosino can be reached at [email protected].
