Trio Also Faces Arson Charges for Setting Fire
COARSEGOLD – Three Coarsegold teenagers were arrested late last night after vandalizing the Yosemite Lakes Park Clubhouse over the weekend, and setting fire to stolen property.
The three teenagers, one age 14, the other two age 16, were booked into Madera County Juvenile Hall on multiple felony charges, including commercial burglary, felony vandalism, arson and conspiracy.
Sometime late Saturday night/early Sunday morning, the trio broke into the Clubhouse, located just off Yosemite Lakes Parkway, stole three golf carts and destroyed a fourth, then yanked three surveillance cameras off the building, setting them on fire near Lilley Mountain Lane nearly three miles away.
Sheriff Anderson says detectives suspect the teens set the cameras on fire in an attempt to destroy any evidence linking them to the burglary and vandalism. The cameras were estimated to be worth between $600 and $700.
While the teens may have demolished the cameras, Sheriff Anderson says they failed to destroy the recording and the video evidence.
“In light of the recent rash of fires due to exceedingly dry conditions in our county and throughout our state, we are painfully aware of the magnitude of damage this fire could have caused,” said Sheriff Anderson. “Thankfully, the fire did not grow out of control.”
Yosemite Lakes Park, located south of Coarsegold between Highway 41 and Road 400, covers approximately 10 square miles, with some 1,870 homes.
The juveniles were identified and arrested at their homes on Monday night, Jan. 27. Their names are not being released because they are all juveniles.
Meantime, two golf carts have since been recovered and a third is still missing. The investigation is ongoing.
Good catch. Hope all the supposed parents get fined up the wazoo