UPDATED 08/26/16: DeLand High and DeLand Middle Schools Vandalized

Date Added: August 24, 2016 10:40 am

Chris Graham
Community Information Specialist
Office: 386-626-7117
Cell: 386-872-0821

 

UPDATE: 08/26/16 - 10 A.M.

A news conference has been scheduled for 1 p.m. at the DeLand Police Department, 219 W. Howry Ave., DeLand, FL 32720, regarding an update about the vandalism case at DeLand High School.

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UPDATE: 08/25/16 - 3:42 P.M.

We are still in the process of reviewing footage from the high school and middle school break-ins. As soon as we have something that can be released, we will notify the media immediately.

Some reporters have asked about the value of the damage to the high school and it is estimated to be more than $10,000. We are still sorting out the damage at DeLand Middle School, but it is not as extensive. A preliminary investigation has found damage to golf carts and a shed. If and when information regarding the middle school incident is available, it will be released.

Please see this statement from Police Chief Bill Ridgway:

“I have contacted Greg Akin, the Chief Operating Officer with Volusia County Schools. His personnel are working in cooperation with our Detective Division on the two incidents that have occurred at DeLand High and Middle School over the past two days. I am confident that our detectives will identify the individuals that are responsible for carrying out these acts so that they can be held accountable. We are still investigating whether these two incidents are related. The DeLand Police Department is increasing overnight patrols at area schools and our detectives are following up on several investigative leads regarding these cases. I am asking any citizen who has information regarding these two senseless acts to contact the DeLand Police Department.”

People with information regarding these cases can contact Lt. Pete Moon at 386-626-7421.

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UPDATE: 08/25/16 -10 a.m.

The surveillance footage of the DeLand High School vandalism is still not available. 

We will notify everyone if and when it is available for review.

We can also confirm that DeLand Police have responded to an apparent break-in overnight at DeLand Middle School. It is too soon to say whether the incident is related but the damage does not appear to be as widespread as what happened at the high school. We are still gathering information and will provide updates as they become available.

Due the nature of the ongoing investigations there is not much we can share about either incident, but we have attached redacted narratives of the incident at DeLand High School.

We’d like to assure the community our detectives are working diligently to resolve these cases.

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UPDATE: 1:30 p.m.

We have received multiple requests for updates regarding the vandalism at DeLand High. This is an ongoing investigation and detectives are still gathering information.

I want to assure everyone we will release the report as it becomes available. Also, our Criminal Investigations Division is in the process of reviewing surveillance footage and once we have determined what can be released, we will notify you.

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Sergeant Chris C. Estes
Professional Standards and Public Information Officer

DELAND HIGH SCHOOL VANDALIZED

In response to inquiries regarding the DeLand High School,  around 6:00 a.m. this morning DeLand Police responded to 800 N. Hill Ave (DHS) following a report that a burglary had occurred. It was found that multiple sections of the school had been affected and there is wide spread damage to the property that occured overnight.  The investigation is still underway accessing what occurred and the scene is being processed. There is little information at this time as the investigation is still ongoing. No reports have been completed at this time.

We will Provide additional information when it comes available.