Mount Si student arrested in probe of bus vandalism
A 17-year-old youth has been arrested on suspicion of twice vandalizing Snoqualmie Valley School District buses.
The suspect, a student at Mount Si High School, was arrested about 9:50 p.m. Sunday after a neighbor noticed lights going on and off at a bus-parking area, the Snoqualmie Police Department reported.
Eleven buses were found damaged, with the cost of repairs estimated at $3,500, according to the school district.
The youth has no previous criminal history. The Seattle Times does not generally identify juveniles in criminal cases.
The vandalism was the second time the district’s buses have been damaged this year, with wires cut and tires slashed in both incidents. The entire bus fleet was damaged Oct. 21, when damage estimated at $10,000 led to a one-day school closure.
The case was referred to the King County Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday for possible filing of charges. Police recommending the suspect be charged with one count of burglary, 49 counts of first-degree malicious mischief, nine counts of second-degree malicious mischief and one count of vehicle prowling.
Peyton Whitely: 206-464-2259 or pwhitely@seattletimes.com