Three Youths Charged With Arson

Police arrested three juveniles, charging them with arson, burglary and criminal mischief in connection with damage to the Head Field press box and a former daycare center at 501 Byrd Road.
Head Field is located at 400 N. Anoka Ave.

Det. Sgt. Jason Lister said Monday that the three -- ages 11, 10 and 7 -- entered the two buildings close to 6 p.m., Friday, and used cigarette lighters to light up papers in order to damage the buildings, which are not far from each other.

While the daycare center is not currently active, the three youths severely damaged the inside. They broke windows, splattered paint or ink, broke into two classrooms and some jalousie windows were pried open, officials said.

Fire extinguishers were discharged in both locations.

The youths were charged with two counts of second-degree arson, two counts of preventing or hindering a firefighter or equipment (discharged fire extinguishers), burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, criminal mischief more than $200 but less than $1,000, petty theft, and possession of burglary tools.

They were each transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bartow.

Highlands Today has withheld the names of the boys because of their ages.

Capt. Robert Border with the Avon Park Fire Department said Monday that in the case of the daycare fire, the boys lit papers in an office, but the fire was out when firefighters arrived.

"It was trashed," Border said. "The police actually extinguished the fire, prior to our arrival."

There was no damage to the structure added Interim Avon Park Fire Chief - Capt. Steve Marquart.

Firefighters were not called to the fire at the press box.