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2 men, teenage girl arrested in Moline High School burglary, vandalism investigation

Two men face burglary and criminal damage to property charges in connection to the overnight incident, and a 17-year-old girl is also being detained.

MOLINE, Ill. — Two men and a 17-year-old girl have been arrested for allegedly burglarizing and vandalizing Moline High School overnight. 

The Moline Police Department said 22-year-old Joseph W. Anderson and 21-year-old Steven T. Anderson of Moline have been charged with burglary and criminal damage to property after authorities discovered the vandalism early Monday morning.

A 17-year-old girl was also taken into custody and is being held by Juvenile Court Services.

Police said none of the suspects were current Moline High students, however they had previously attended school in the district.

Moline police and fire personnel responded to the school just before 1 a.m. after a fire alarm went off. 

According to police, the suspects broke into the school and caused significant damage by discharging fire extinguishers, flipping tables and breaking electronic devices. Police did not disclose the estimated cost of damages. 

Officials commended the Moline High School custodial staff for their ability to clean up the building before normal hours and allow the school day to go forward without disruption.

“The Moline Police Department takes our school students' safety and learning environment extremely seriously. Students deserve the best education possible, including the best facilities, equipment, and classrooms available to them. Any damage, trespassing or vandalism to our school facilities will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law,” said Chief Darren Gault.

Joseph Anderson and Steven Anderson are being held in the Rock Island County Jail on a $50,000 bond for the incident.

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