Three people, including a juvenile, are in custody in connection with a vandalism series at Julian High School. Photo courtesy of Sheriff’s Department.
JULIAN–Three teens were arrested for vandalism at Julian High School, a Sheriff’s deputy spokesman said Saturday.
Deputies from the Julian Sheriff’s Substation spotted two suspects spray painting walls, windows and doors at the school located in the 1600 block of State Route 78 just after 2 a.m. on Saturday. The suspects ran off when they saw the deputies.
Deputies tracked down the suspect, Dylan Hartung, 18, of Julian and arrested him. During a search of the campus for another suspect, a deputy pulled over a suspicious car that was driving in the area. Two people were inside the car, which contained evidence connected to the vandalisms. Michael Ludke, 19 and a 17 year-old juvenile, both from Julian, were taken into custody. Hartung and Ludke were booked into San Diego County Jail. The juvenile was taken to Juvenile Hall.
All three suspects are facing felony charges of vandalism, commercial burglary and conspiracy. The investigation is ongoing.
Detectives say the suspects may have been involved in at least four prior vandalism incidents at Julian High School. In one incident, the suspects used fire extinguishers to contaminate classrooms and damage school buildings. Damage to the school is estimated at nearly $40,000.
If you have any information on the vandalism series at Julian High School, call the Sheriff’s Department at (858) 565-5200. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers’ Students Speaking Out Hotline at (888) 580-8477.
