Frederick police seeking two suspects in TJ break-in
The Frederick Police Department is looking for two suspects in connection to the vandalism and flooding incidents at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School late last month.
Police have started conducting interviews after reviewing school security tapes last week, according to Sgt. Jason Keckler of the Frederick Police Department.
Vandals broke into the school on Dec. 28, while it was closed for winter break. The suspects entered through the roof, spray painted graffiti, stole school property and broke a waterline, flooding a section of the school's west wing, according to police and school officials.
"We did recover video from the school," Keckler said. "There appears to be two suspects involved."
Keckler would not say if police suspect that students or employees were involved in the incident. But with school back in session, he said it would be easier to question witnesses and gather leads. Keckler said he expects to have more details on potential suspects by the end of the week. (Check www.gazette.net for updates.)
Police found graffiti inside the school, but Keckler would not say if it was gang-related. He also declined to specify what items had been taken from the school during the incident.
"We are not releasing that information so it doesn't interfere with the investigation," he said.
The Frederick Police Department believes vandals broke into the school between 11 a.m., Dec. 28 and 5 a.m., on Dec. 29. No alarms went off during the incident.
The school's head custodian, while checking the school at 5 a.m., on Dec. 29, noticed there was about an inch of water on the floors of the school kitchen, hallways and some of the band and art rooms.
Custodians were able to clean up the area by noon on Dec. 29.
According to TJ High Principal Marlene Tarr, the incident did not cause any disturbance for students when they came back from winter break on Monday. All the affected classrooms were cleaned and ready for students, Tarr said.
"It was business as usual," she said.
E-mail Margarita Raycheva at mraycheva@gazette.net.