GENTRY — Three juveniles were arrested in connection with Thursday's threats of a bomb at a Gentry school, and a fourth juvenile is being called "a person of interest."
According to a Friday press release from Gentry Police Chief Keith Smith, his department arrested three teenage boys who dialed Benton County's 911 system at least three times on Thursday, threatening that a bomb would be at the Gentry schools. In the last call, the threat was more specific, with the caller saying the bomb would be at the Gentry Middle School.
Through investigation by police and school officials and tips called in to the police, three Gentry students were identified, according to the release. Used in making identification were Gentry school bus camera systems, 911 recordings and other evidence, the release states. A cell phone used in the crimes was also recovered and has been identified as belonging to a relative of one of the accused boys.
Through multiple interviews, police learned that the boys made the plan while at school on Wednesday. One of the boys brought the cell phone to school Thursday so they could carry out the plan.
Evidence indicates all three juveniles were involved in the crimes, the release states. Police believe a fourth student was also involved.
The three boys arrested were transported to the Benton County Juvenile Detention Center on Friday, according to the release. They were being held on charges of terrorist threatening and tampering with physical evidence, both Class D felonies, according to the release.
Schools remained open in Gentry on Friday, in spite of the threats. Police and school officials took extra safety precautions, including the use of bomb-sniffing dogs, to ensure the safety of students and staff.
News, Pages 10 on 09/26/2009