Prank or Crime? Students break into school, release 72,000 ladybugs
Six seniors and one alumnus of Chopticon High School in Morganza, Md., are facing criminal charges after they allegedly broke into the school on a senior prank and released 72,000 ladybugs.
WTTG-Fox 5 reports that the students ordered the bugs online and allegedly broke into the school last week and released the insects. Charges were announced over the weekend, and upon returning to school Tuesday, fellow students are protesting the decision to pursue criminal charges against their classmates.
The St. Mary's County, Md., Sheriff's Office says that five people broke into the school at about 3:40 a.m. May 20. Wearing masks and hooded sweatshirts to obscure their identities, they forced open a door and then released about 72,000 ladybugs.
Another two suspects waited in car while the break-in occurred, police say. Investigators determined that one of the suspects had ordered the ladybugs on the Internet.
Four of the suspects are juveniles. They have been charged with burglary, property destruction Under $1,000, and disruption of school activities. The other three suspects will be charged as adults by criminal summons, the Sheriff's Office says.
Video from WTTG Fox 5:
