Vandals caught on camera looting charter school in Olney

OLNEY (WPVI) -- Police say three suspects were caught on surveillance cameras vandalizing, looting and causing thousands of dollars worth of damage at the Aspira Education campus in Philadelphia's Olney section.

School maintenance workers discovered the mess early Saturday morning.

Authorities believe one of the suspects is a teenager.

The believe another one is a man in his 20s or 30s.

"This is something no one ever wants to see in a school," said Thomas Darden, COO of Aspira.

The mess included ripped apart rooms in classrooms and the main office as well as fundraising money stolen.

Desks were left empty after the suspects got away with at least five computers.

Authorities say they even defecated and urinated on the floors of the school during their path of destruction.

School officials say what they did was not only criminal but disrespectful and downright disgusting.

"In one office, they went through and destroyed some of the cabinetry and there was just paper everywhere," said Darden.

The campus houses the K through 8th grade bi-lingual charter school De Hostos and a head start pre-k program.

The kitchen was also vandalized and food was stolen.

While the damage is estimated to be in the thousands, Darden says he's not angry, he's sad and wants the trio caught.

"We know what a good education can do for kids and that's why we're here. When you see this, you have to take action to try to make sure that it doesn't happen to someone else. We have other schools in this neighborhood, we don't want them going out and doing the same thing to other schools," said Darden.

School officials will spend the weekend cleaning up the mess but say they will be open as scheduled on Monday.

Meanwhile anyone with information is asked to contact Philadelphia Police at 215.686.TIPS (8477) or text a tip to PPD TIP (773847).