Galesburg Police catch vandals inside former Churchill Junior High

GALESBURG — Seven juveniles were arrested after breaking into and vandalizing the former Churchill Junior High School early Saturday, according to a police report. 

Officers responded to the former school, located at 905 Maple Ave., at 12:48 a.m. due to a burglary alarm being triggered. According to the report, the building had been broken into several times in the past week, with fire extinguishers being set off. 

Upon arrival, police made a perimeter around the building and observed an open door on the southeast side of the building. Multiple individuals could be seen inside. Upon entering, officers saw a group of four suspects running towards the open door. These suspects were stopped and handcuffed. 

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Officers were able to locate and stop three more suspects in the building. 

Police then searched the building for damage, finding lockers and walls had been painted, exit signs had been broken, and multiple fire extinguishers had been freshly used. 

Seven Galesburg youths, all of whom are 13-14 years old, were arrested for curfew violation, criminal trespass to state land, and criminal damage to property under $500, and all were released to their parents and guardians.