Coronavirus order means looting charges for teens arrested in Oakdale school theft
Two teenage boys face looting as well as burglary charges after their arrest Wednesday on suspicion of breaking into an Oakdale school snack bar.
Police tacked on the looting counts because the alleged theft happened while Oakdale Junior High School was closed under the state order aimed at controlling the coronavirus.
The 17-year-olds broke into the snack bar at the South Maag Avenue School at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Oakdale Police Department said in a news release.
Officers were called while the burglary was in progress and learned that a school employee had seen the suspects running toward nearby Cottles Wood Park, the release said.
Perimeter set up
Officers set up a perimeter in the area and “were able to quickly corral the two suspects,” the release said. It did not specify what property was taken but did say it was found on the boys. They were booked into the Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall.
The state Penal Code has a looting provision that can be triggered during a state of emergency, such as the one declared by Gov. Gavin Newsom in March.
A few weeks later, the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office reported that it had already charged 10 people with that crime.
This story was originally published April 30, 2020 at 6:36 PM.
