Montgomery County Police have charged three Bethesda juveniles in the Woodhaven vandalism case that police discovered Feb. 17.
Two 16-year-olds and one 17-year-old were each charged with three counts of destruction of property under $500, one count of destruction of property over $500 and three counts of conspiracy to commit malicious destruction, Officer Rebecca Innocenti said.
The vandalism, which occurred in the 6700 block of Melody Lane and the 8200 block of Wahly Drive, in the Woodhaven neighborhood just behind Pyle Middle School, included anti-gay slurs, profanity, swastikas and explicit images on private property and a police car, according to a police statement. However, all charges were classified as misdemeanors and not felonies or hate crimes, as the suspects did not have hateful intent towards the victims.
“The victims were picked at random and not targeted for any specific reason,” Officer Britta Thomas said.
The case will now be sent to the Family Crimes Division for sentences to be determined. There could be a range of sentences, Innocenti said.
“There are a variety of circumstances,” she said. “They could be facing some type of diversionary program or community service.”
MC Police are giving a reward to a tipster who “provided information that furthered the investigation,” Innocenti said.
Students were surprised at the offensive subject matter of the vandalism, but pleased to see that suspects have been charged in the case.
“Vandalism has been an issue at the lower level, such as in school bathrooms,” senior Evan Cernea said. “But I wouldn’t believe anyone would be ignorant enough to do it in a neighborhood that would vigilantly search for the perpetrator.”
