8 teens arrested with alcohol near Arlington Heights school

Arlington Heights police arrested eight teens on alcohol-related charges last weekend after officers broke up a party behind an elementary school, officials said.

Officers acting on an anonymous tip about 8:15 p.m. Dec. 1 found juveniles drinking in the park behind Westgate Elementary School, 500 S. Dwyer Ave., said Cmdr. Mike Hernandez.

When police arrived the teenagers tried to run, but were stopped by officers and arrested on charges of possession of alcohol by a minor. Police weren’t certain whether anyone managed to escape.

The teens arrested — four girls and four boys — are between 15 and 17 years old, so no names will be released. Hernandez said six of the teens are from Arlington Heights, the other two from Rolling Meadows.

Officers found a 30-pack of beer and a 6-pack of Smirnoff Ice, but Hernandez said the majority of the alcohol was still there.

Police gave all the teenagers a breath test and some did register small amounts of alcohol in their systems, but police did not add consumption of alcohol charges, Hernandez said.

The teenagers refused to tell police who bought the alcohol or where they got it, Hernandez said. It was unknown whether any of the teenagers have prior alcohol-related arrests, he added.

The teens were released into their parents’ custody and will appear in court Dec. 20.