2 ARRESTED FOR BOMB HOAX AT WEST HILLS HIGH SCHOOL

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October 2, 2009 (Santee)—San Diego County Sheriff William Gore today announced the arrest of two male juveniles accused of making false bomb threats at West Hills High School.

At approximately 3:50 p.m. yesterday, deputies responded to West Hills High School after receiving a report of a possible bomb threat. A note had been discovered by a teacher alluding to a bomb detonation at 8:00 a.m., Friday, October 2. Four teams of two deputies and two juvenile detectives immediately responded and searched the campus and dispatched the ASTREA helicopter to check roofs.

 

 

The Grossmont Union High School District Superintendent  responded to the campus to answer questions by parents and the media. In addition, West Hills principal Pat Keeley posted a note on the campus website, warning "Wolf Pack" students to avoid spreading rumors.  "Please understand that events like this are taken seriously, and anyone who participates in any type of threat against others or the school will be disciplined accordingly," Keeley wrote. 

There were no suspicious devices/packages found on the campus.

Deputies and school officials examined class assignments in an attempt to locate penmanship similar to that of the note. Two potential juvenile suspects were located, interviewed, and subsequently taken into custody. They were booked into Juvenile Hall for False Report of a Bomb (148.1 (c) P.C.) and Conspiracy (182 P.C.).

 

A secondary sweep of the school campus was also done this morning with no suspicious items found.

Jan Caldwell, public information representative for Sheriff Gore, told East County Magazine that the suspects are not believed to be gang members and that this is not considered a hate-motivated crime.
 


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