ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Charges are pending for four juveniles after the Rowan County Sheriff's Office said the group broke into a school campus and stole a rifle from the school resource officer's safe.
Deputies said the juveniles broke into East Rowan High School on Jan. 2 around midnight, smashing a classroom window to get in. The juveniles reportedly roamed through the campus, spraying graffiti on exterior walls, breaking sinks and toilets, overturning desks and chairs, breaking into vending machines, and pouring gallons of paint onto walls and floors.
At one point, the juveniles entered the SRO's office. They then spent about 40 minutes drilling into a safe there and prying it open. Inside was the officer's issued rifle and a protective vest, both of which were stolen from the safe.
The four subjects were quickly identified in the school by using security video, talking with staff, and conducting numerous interviews according to deputies. The stolen rifle and vest were later recovered that day.
While the gun was properly secured, the sheriff's office says it will take further steps to ensure issued rifles can't be accessed, including keeping them off campus after hours.
The investigation remains ongoing according to the sheriff's office.
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