Smithfield teens arrested
Published 11:08 pm Thursday, May 8, 2014
The Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office charged two teens this week with a number of crimes including manufacturing, possessing or using fire bombs or explosive materials.
The teens, ages 14 and 15, both are Smithfield High School students. However, no evidence of a threat directed at the school or its students was uncovered, according to a press release from the sheriff’s department.
The investigation originated when a Smithfield High student overhead the 15-year-old suspect ask another student where he could obtain a gun. The third student reported the incident to his parents, who had him report it to school officials. Law enforcement were notified the same day, May 1.
Sheriff’s investigators searched the home of the 15-year-old and recovered about 100 rounds of .45-caliber ammunition, a 16-ounce water bottle filled with gasoline, a small container of suspected gunpowder and fuses.
A search of the older teen’s cellphone revealed the 14-year-old’s involvement. A search of that student’s home revealed copper piping, gunpowder and other components consistent with a homemade weapon, according to the release.
Text messages between the suspects discussed the use of household items for making fire bombs.
Other evidence found in the students’ homes connected them with a break-in at an unoccupied home in the 8600 block of Old Stage Highway, the sheriff’s office said.
Both teens were arrested Wednesday. Both were charged with one count each of entering property with intent to destroy, destruction of property, conspiracy, grand larceny and trespass. The 14-year-old also faces one count of manufacture, possession or use of fire bombs or explosive materials or devices, while the 15-year-old faces three counts of that charge. In addition, the 14-year-old faces one count of possession of burglary tools.