Two charged in connection with Waukegan school bus damage

Two juveniles from Waukegan were charged in connection with damaging a pair of school buses at a parking lot at Lakeside School, police said.

A 14-year-old and a 16-year-old were arrested on Saturday just after the alleged break in took place, Police Cmdr. Gabe Guzman said.

Both were charged with trespassing and possession of cannabis. The 14-year-old also was charged with two counts of criminal damage to property Guzman said.

Because of their ages, police are withholding the names of the juveniles.

Guzman said a police officer on patrol was checking the Lakeside School bus parking lot in the 2700 block of Northwestern Avenue about 7 p.m. The lot had been the victim of several burglaries and damaged vehicles in recent weeks.

The officer observed two male juveniles inside the locked and fenced parking areas, Guzman said, and the officer called for additional units to assist him in apprehending them.

Officers entered the lot, Guzman said, and took both teens into custody.

The 14-year-old confessed to causing damage to three school buses on Saturday, Guzman said, as well as past damages to other buses.

They were taken to the Hulse Juvenile Detention Center near Vernon Hills where charges were petitioned against them, Guzman said.

Their next court date is unknown, Guzman said.

Chief Greathouse states: This officer knew of a problem in his district and took exemplary measures to apprehend these offenders.