PHILLIPS – Deputies charged two teenage boys Thursday in connection with an estimated $10,000 worth of damage at the Phillips Primary School building owned by the town.

The boys are also allegedly connected to a break-in at the American Legion Hall in Phillips, Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Turcotte said.

A 15-year-old Avon boy and a 14-year-old Phillips boy were charged with burglary and aggravated criminal mischief for allegedly vandalizing the school building in August, Turcotte said.

The two allegedly used a screwdriver to pry open a window to gain entry to the building, he said.

Turcotte said he, Sgt. Steve Charles and Detective Tom White worked with tips from community members to solve the cases. The trio interviewed a lot of people during their investigation, Turcotte said.

The boys allegedly admitted having entered the school building several times, he said.

But on the weekend of Aug. 24, they vandalized the school doing extensive damage throughout the building.

Wiring was ripped out, ceilings were torn down and ceiling tiles thrown against the interior walls. In addition, light fixtures were taken down and the light bulbs smashed, Turcotte reported Aug. 26.

About the same time, the Legion Hall was entered in a similar fashion and files had been rummaged through, Turcotte said.

The teens also allegedly admitted stealing older computers that were earmarked for the Strong Elementary School, Turcotte said.

The boys were summoned on the charges and placed in their parents’ custody, he said. The teenagers do not have criminal records.

They are scheduled to appear in November at Juvenile Court in Farmington.

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