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Police: Students arrested for crashing van into L.C. Bird bragged about it on social media

Posted at 3:11 PM, Feb 05, 2015
and last updated 2015-02-05 19:30:39-05

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- Four L.C. Bird High School students were arrested and charged after someone drove a stolen van into the Chesterfield high school, overnight. The fiery crime that occurred on Jan.22 closed L.C. Bird High School for several days.

"Through investigation, police determined that the vehicle, a 1996 Ford Club Wagon van, had been stolen from the 6200 block of Barrister Road before being driven into the school," a Chesterfield Police spokeswoman said via email.

Police said that the van was stolen, and crashed into the school. The spinning wheels may have triggered the fire, official sources said.

Police arrested a 16-year-old male student on Tuesday. That student was charged with felony vandalism, grand larceny, hit and run and conspiracy to commit a felony. On Thursday, Feb. 5, police arrested and charged three more students. The 16-year-old male and two 15-year-old males were charged with felony vandalism, grand larceny, hit and run and conspiracy to commit a felony, according to police.

Damage inside L.C. Bird after the van crashed into the school.

Chesterfield Police said the teens were bragging about the incident on Twitter and through text messages about how they damaged their own school.

"They were definitely talking about this incident, and yes there were some statements that they were taking credit for it," said Lt. Steve Grohowski, Chesterfield Police.

Investigators said they haven't seen this much property damage in the county over the last five years.

"Obviously, this was not a simple prank," said Grohowski. "This was a significant criminal act, and it was intentional on the part of those students."

The same sources who told CBS 6 News where the van was stolen from, days ago, also said that someone strapped a landscaping brick to the accelerator pedal of the van and let it slam into the front entrance of the Chesterfield high school. They said that a spinning tire may have been what triggered the early morning fire.

"I think that some of them were angry at the school for whatever reason," he added. "So, I think that's at least one motive."

Police said the fiery crash at L.C. Bird disrupted classes for 1,800 students and caused $300,000 worth damage to the school.

All four of the teen suspects are behind bars at the Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Center. The students' names were not released due to their age.

Police asked anyone with information about the crime call Chesterfield Police at 804-748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660.

This is a developing story.

RELATED: Homeowner near L.C. Bird saw teen suspects on run after fiery van crash

L.C. Bird High to reopen Monday following fiery van crash

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