Thursday, October 15, 2009
3 charged in school break-in
Three former Lord Botetourt students allegedly broke into the school's field house.
Three former Lord Botetourt High School students are accused of breaking into the school's field house last week and stealing thousands of dollars worth of electronic equipment and damaging various buildings.
Between the stolen property and the damage -- a hatchet was used to smash through the doors -- the three men caused more than $16,600 in harm to the school, according to the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office.
"Their motive? Ignorance," said Principal Tim Bane. "They're all going to Big Boy Court now."
The sheriff's office said Cameron Wayne Collins, 18, and Derrike Ethan Walker, 19, both of Troutville, and Matthew Joshua Colombini, 18, of Daleville have each been charged with one count of larceny and one count of breaking and entering. Colombini played football for Lord Botetourt for four years.
The three are accused of using a hatchet to smash their way into the football field house and press box, the baseball concession stand and press box, and the softball concession stand and press box.
Among the equipment taken was Lord Botetourt's video system, a 42-inch flat-screen television and the control system for the scoreboard's graphics, Bane said. "They knew exactly what they were doing and what they were looking for."
Investigators have found most of the equipment and returned it. Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle said the stolen equipment also included computer monitors, laptop computers and a DVD player. He estimated the value of the equipment at $12,550 and the damage to the buildings at $4,100. Drinks and snacks were also stolen from the concession stands.
Sprinkle said the three men were first questioned in connection with a shoplifting at a nearby Kroger store Thursday before they were linked to the Lord Botetourt break-in. He added that additional charges are likely in connection with the Kroger incident.
Walker, who was convicted of public intoxication in the county last year according to online court records, was being held in the Botetourt County Jail as of Wednesday evening. Colombini and Collins have been released on bond.
