Three arrested for burglary of closed Phoenix school campus

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 20:33 · Archive

Police have arrested three teenagers accused of breaking into a closed Phoenix school and causing $281,000 in damage.

Three teenagers have been arrested for breaking into Echo Canyon School, a closed campus in Phoenix near 62nd Street and Camelback Road, on 9 October. Two 16-year-old boys and 18-year-old Blake Eldredge were taken into custody. Police say four people broke into the building repeatedly over several days. Though the Scottsdale Unified School District closed the school last year, it remains in use for community events and equipment storage.

The suspects stole and damaged computer equipment and other property. Scottsdale Unified School District reported $230,000 in stolen or damaged computer hardware and a further $51,000 in property damage. Phoenix police linked the crimes to the 'urban exploring' social media trend, where people break into buildings believed to be abandoned and post their findings online.

On 30 October, police searched a home in north Scottsdale and detained two suspects. Eldredge reportedly admitted his involvement and provided information about the third suspect and hidden stolen property. Investigators found the third suspect in Mesa with additional evidence. Eldredge was booked on multiple felony charges; the two teenagers were released to their parents. A fourth suspect has not been identified.

How it is being reported

• 3 accused of burglarizing closed Phoenix school campus, causing $281K in damagePolice have arrested several teenagers accused of burglarizing a former Arcadia school campus, causing thousands of dollars in damage.KOLD · 4 Nov, 19:55
• 3 accused of burglarizing closed Phoenix school campus, causing $281K in damagePolice have arrested several teenagers accused of burglarizing a former Arcadia school campus, causing thousands of dollars in damage.Azfamily · 4 Nov, 19:55

In this story: Echo Canyon School · Scottsdale Unified School District · Phoenix · Maricopa County · Blake Eldredge

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log