Suspected Teen Terrorists Arrested With Bomb Chemicals (UPDATED)

"Investigators are concerned the suspects may have been planning more then a 'threat' after taking steps to steal chemicals that the suspects said they planned to make bombs with." - Keizer Police Captain Jeff Kuhns

Salem-News.com

(KEIZER, Ore.) - The Keizer Police are investigating a burglary that occurred at McNary High School, 595 Chemawa Road North, at about 2:00 AM Saturday morning.

Police Spokesman Capt. Jeff Kuhns says the investigation has led to the arrest of five male juveniles that investigators believe conspired to steal chemicals from the school's science classrooms so they could make bombs, and also said that they believe this investigation is connected to the recent burglary of Claggett Creek Middle School, 1810 Alder Drive NE.

"This investigation began when Officer Jeff Goodman found two juveniles walking in the 700 block of Dearborn Avenue Northeast at about 4:30 AM today. Officer Goodman contacted the individuals to conduct a field interview because they appeared to be in violation of curfew laws and were suspicious in nature as they were carrying backpacks."

He says Goodman’s contact with these individuals led to the discovery of several chemicals that were found inside their backpacks.

"The chemicals were in various glass and plastic containers from the original manufacturers. Further investigation and questioning by Officer Goodman revealed both juveniles had just been involved with a burglary at McNary High School. These individuals were detained at this time and were transported to the Keizer Police Department for further questioning while another officer responded to McNary High School and confirmed a burglary had occurred."

One of the backpacks Keizer Police seized in the arrests

Investigators say the discovered that there were five individuals who participated in the burglary of McNary High School Saturday morning. Kuhns says two individuals actually forced entry into the building and stole a wide variety of chemicals from a storage area near the science classrooms that are located on the second floor, while the other three acted as look-outs outside the building.

"The suspects used handheld radios to communicate with each other during the burglary. After the burglary was complete the suspects all left on foot and planned to walk to the residence where two of the suspects reside. All five were staying the night in a tent in the backyard of this particular residence."

During their walk three of the suspects separated from the two individuals who Officer Goodman contacted on Dearborn Avenue. Kuhns says those three suspects made it back to the house they were staying at undetected by law enforcement at that time.

Four of the suspects are fifteen-years old, while one of them is only thirteen. There are two sets of brothers. All five suspects reside in Keizer according to Kuhns.

Three of the fifteen year old suspects attended McNary High School as 9th graders last school year. Kuhns says they are not releasing the names of the suspects they arrested because investigators are trying to locate a sixth suspect who is believed to have been involved in a previous attempted burglary at McNary High School earlier this summer.

Police say they recovered chemicals stolen from two Keizer schools, and journals that stated plans to make a bomb they intended to use at McNary High School. Evidence photos courtesy: Keizer Police

"Releasing the names of those who were arrested at this time could hamper the investigation," Kuhns added.

Of the juveniles who were arrested, one 15-year old male is charged with Conspiracy to Commit Second Degree Burglary.

A second 15-year old male is charged with two counts of Second Degree Burglary, two counts of Second Degree Criminal Mischief, and two counts of Second Degree Theft.

Another 15-year old male faces two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Second Degree Burglary.

The fourth 15-year old male faces charges of Attempted Second Degree Burglary, two counts of Second Degree Burglary, two counts of Second Degree Criminal Mischief, and two counts Second Degree Theft.

The 13-year old male faces three counts of Conspiracy to Commit Second Degree Burglary.

Kuhns says additional charges may be forthcoming.

"After questioning the first two suspects who were taken into custody investigators went to the residence in an effort to locate the remaining suspects. Two of the three were found inside the tent in the backyard. The third suspect had left prior to their arrival but was found and arrested earlier this afternoon."

Another back pack Keizer Police say was packed with stolen chemicals intended for the creation of a bomb

Kuhns says they also found several more chemicals inside the tent that were taken from the school, the computer that was taken in the burglary of Claggett Creek Middle School, and other instruments that were used during the commission of these crimes.

He says officers also discovered and seized some journals that they believe were being maintained by at least one of the suspects.

"Inside these journals officers have found writings that describe a planned 'bomb threat' at McNary High School that appeared to be in the planning stage for the upcoming school year."

According to Kuhns, the note said, “Do this year when break needed or just wanted.” He says they also found another document that said, “Get chemical from school.”

"There were code names for each of the six suspects, other code words for things such as police, and a diagram of McNary High School with at least four different areas that were identified as spots. Investigators are concerned the suspects may have been planning more then a 'threat' after taking steps to steal chemicals that the suspects said they planned to make bombs with."

All of this information will be forwarded to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office. The Keizer Police Department has also notified the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and will consult with them about the ongoing investigation. The Salem-Keizer School District is aware of this incident and Kuhns says they have cooperated and assisted with the investigation.

Kuhns hopes that anyone having additional information about this incident will contact Detective Vaughn Edsall at 503-390-3713 Ext. 3465.