LANCASTER – Five teenagers, identified as White Power gang members, were arrested Wednesday for breaking into Eastside High School, stealing $15K worth of school property, and causing $22K in damages to multiple classrooms, authorities said.
The accused thieves, all current and former Eastside High students, include 18-year-old David Van Rossum, a 17-year-old boy, two 16-year-old boys, and a 15-year-old girl, according to a press release from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station. Read it below:
On Sunday (3/02/14), unknown suspects broke into the Eastside High School campus and stole over $15,000 worth of school property and caused approximately $22,000 in damage to multiple classrooms.
On Wednesday (3/05/14), Lancaster Station Detectives arrested five individuals believed to be responsible for the burglary and vandalism of the campus.
They located several stolen items at three Lancaster homes. Three arrests were made in Lancaster and two subjects were arrested in the neighboring city of Rosamond.
Detectives recovered eight guitars, five amplifiers, and some school clothing. Still outstanding are multiple Eastside High School clothing items with black and purple colors, one desktop computer, one laptop computer, 12 electric and acoustic guitars, and a sound mixer.
Arrested and booked for burglary and felony vandalism are David Van Rossum, one white male 17-year-old juvenile, two white male 16-year-old juveniles, and one white female 15-year-old. Suspect Van Rossum was held on $20,000 bail.
The 17-year-old suspect was transported and housed at Sylmar Juvenile Detention Center, and the rest were released to their legal guardians.
Only one of the male juveniles was a current Eastside High School student, and the remaining were former students. The one suspect and four subjects were identified as White Power gang members, and additional charges are pending.
Anyone with information to help recover the outstanding stolen items is asked to contact Lancaster Station Detective Horning at 661-948-8466.
Mario says
I wonder if their parents allow them to drink alcohol at parties or even host parties in their home where under-aged drinking goes on. I bet the parents are real gems. Wasn’t the dad or step-dad of one of these kids involved in a physical fight last month at his home where under-aged drinking was allowed and condoned?
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
shelle says
Yes and this so called stepdad attacked my son!! Why are they not bringing charges against the parents and this adult who attacked a child???????
Kayla says
Oh and just one more FYI 90% of kids will drink underage, so if you have kids and you think they are perfect guess what, you’re just as ignorant as this article.
Shelle says
Kayla he was the adult and when he jumped my son he was not thinking like the adult and to let underage kidsdrink well its against the law..and i know my kids are not perfect but i do expect when they are at someones house that the suposed adult will act like the adult and not let illegal activities happen and i dont expect my son to be brought down to the ground and punched on by a adult …common sense but obviously lots of people have none
Sweetie says
All these “new” people trying to control any comments they don”t agree with. Probably a bunch of kids who just wanna argue. Or maybe just 1 or 2 kids.
Alexa, Jada, Shanna, John, Ester, Daniel, Irena, trish, tru, and Dave. haha. Welcome to “express yourself”.
Irena says
Expressing one’s self goes both ways. Just because someone offers up a different opinion or an alternative explanation doesn’t mean they intend to argue.
tru says
looks like your the only one trying to argue sweetie! maybe your the child that needs a life abd to grow up!
Sweetie says
@tru..you just decided to stop by and tell me that? Funny.
These kids can be gang members (white power), high school dropouts, thieves, druggies and basically angry zombies. You don’t know and neither do I. I am allowed to speculate however, and I’d put money on this being true.
I’m out. You and ME can go on forever. :)
sickofit says
Looks like they wanted to start a band, actually. Just another bunch of ignorant hater idjits with some very negative karma following them around now.
aznissan says
This is an over use of gang relations that you find in LA County. The 18 year old in question has no relations to the “white power” gang simply because the people with him were all white and he’s white it’s automatically white a white power gang that’s bull. It’d like saying your Hispanic and you did something wrong with some.more Hispanic people its gang related. There is no provided evidence that said person has had any relationship to a white power gang or taken any actions to that extent.Not a once was drugs mentioned kids make bad choices not all 18 year Olds run off to college after high school. Maybe the mentioned items were to use anyone consider that much music equipment might want to be used not sold for “guns or drugs”. The only idea of guns and drugs came from the miss used title of gang. I would like to see real evidence that any of them had true gang relations before someone just classifies them as gang members.
Junbug says
Mario you are so rite…one of these kids and the parent was involved in a physical confratation ? Wow what is this parent teaching the child when he himself breaks the law? And Shelle this parent touched your child and no charges were filed? So once again what is that telling this child ..break the laws and nuthing is done..
Dave says
Where does the discussion of drugs enter when a the story has no mention drugs ?
Ever occur to anyone they just wanted to sell or pawn the merchandise just to get the money ? They’re white supremacist wanna be’s, obviously not very bright. Keeping a supply of clean white sheets and pointy hats is expensive.
Sweetie says
Why would you say they stole the stuff to sell it? The story doesn’t say anything about them selling the stolen goods for money. I wonder if these kids put the money in a savings account? Nevermind, I met they bought dope or guns.
Daniel says
Sweetie– The story doesn’t say anything about dope or guns either! You just don’t make sense when you comment on anything.
Esther says
Sweetie Your comment is just to be argumentative and contrary. No fact behind your comments.
Sweetie says
@Estaer and Daniel, Bwahahah. I forgot this comment section was only for positive, intellectual responses. I think the premise is freedom to express our opinion or make a comment on something someone else said. So, rock on!
John says
Sweetie Then stop calling out Dave and his remarks. You just like stirring the pot with your nonsense.
Think? says
Crazy….how people keep saying “Drugs” … These were stupid kids…. How people like to make excuses when their Caucasian….if they were Black kids No 1 would consider drugs being an excuse… White Power’s Antics are rarely found in media. I’m glad this made the newspaper, for those who are in denial about White Power being in AV…REMEMBER PEOPLE TRY NOT FOCUSING ON THEIR TITLE OR COLOR JUDGE THE CRIME NOTHING ELSE..
whosepower says
Just a thought……….
If this were an alleged “Brown” or “Black” power gang would comments about race and prejudice be made?
Is it not enough that they are in a gang, period? Has anything positive come from ANY gang regardless of what their loyalties are?
Ed says
Odd how “white power” is now becoming a problem in the last few months. WOnder who is benefiting from the hysteria. Looks like someone or some groups are writing books and organizing “blind” youth to take the fall. In the end, its SECURITY that benefits from the misguided.
Kyler P says
That Peavey amp is mine. It was said to have been lost over a year ago, but here it is showing up in this picture (2nd biggest amp there). The teacher is a thief as well. I’ll be up there this week to raise some hell.
misha says
Probably the first time these white trash idiots actually set foot in a school since second grade or so.
someone says
You are so full of it. Maybe yours but not all kids quit school.
EducateEveryone says
Well that’s awkward, where are all the people that usually run to make a comment on stories that involve other races? Hmmmm, oh yeah, the kids are Caucasian, better not say a word. Also, didn’t you fine folks say racism is non-existent in the AV? I guess you were very wrong! Interesting story, but sad for the rest of the student population, hope these folks get what they deserve.
tru says
your comment is so true it’s sad…..everyone blaming drugs and not the kids! low life thug wannabes…get a job..or a clue…
Nancy P says
Saying these kids may possibly be druggies does NOT in any way put the blame on drugs and not the kids. Different kids are motivated by different circustances. Druggies are thieves. It is what it is… Kids these days are messed up. Not every single one of them, but more than it should be.
tru says
then don’t agree on a comment that says “I blame drugs”..just sayin.j
Nancy P says
Let me clarify. I blame kids using drugs.
trish says
[removed] you ppl and ur comments don’t always believe what you read..this is slander and WE WILL S
UE!
Irena says
Sue for what? And by the way, slander is used when it is referring to something spoken, libel is the written word. If the people are found guilty, it isn’t defamation at all
alexa says
Amen to that Irena!
TakeBackTheCity says
White boy thugs….????? Nooooooo…. couldn’t be. No way. Never them. Unheard of….
Shanna says
I blame drugs. Meth is the main reason these kids needed this stuff. They may have even been prompted. Definitely why there is so much property missing still. I’m not saying parents aren’t responsible, but if drugs are involved I’m sure its more than they know how to deal with.
Nancy P says
I agree with you. So many kids doing drugs and have no respect for anyone or anything. Just think everyone…they are our future health care givers!
mychael says
I’m one of the kids that got caught, it has nothing to do with those [removed] drugs idiot
Not my kid says
It’s always not my kid when these punks are arrested. My kid would never do that!! Well, let me tell you, when I was raising my 2 boys, if one of them had come home with tons of school clothes, a computer, a laptop, and various guitars, you bet your bippee I would have been asking questions. If the answer was not what it should have been, I would have turned my kid in to the sheriffs and let them sort it out. But you see, my boys always knew I would do it, and do it with love. So they never did those things. One time my oldest came home from 3rd grade with a tape recorder and the very next day I had him in the school office turning it back in. It wasn’t his. The school secretary knew who had lost it the prior day and told my son he did the right thing. If I had had the opinion some of these parents today have, my son would have kept the recorder and I would have been raising a thief. Good grief.
Sweetie says
Drugs are expensive.
Jada says
Your comment has nothing to do with this article.
alexa says
And what do their parents think of all this? I don’t know if they have anything that belongs to them, that they have purchased by actually working for it, or they just take other peoples stuff. I can take from you, but you better not take from me mind-set.
krendo says
DId you ever think maybe ” The Parents” were just as upset as YOU are!!!!! I will say a Prayer for you!
AV Folk says
Would you pray for me too Krendo? Thanks!
Letlow says
Why pray for her? Pray for the VICTIMS, the students and instructors who have to go without because of these young goons and thugs terrorizing and wreaking havoc on the good citizens of this community. The parents should take some of the blame as well. Had they parented better, their children may not have turned to a life of crime.
AV Folk says
Better add Letlow to your prayer list Krendo! Thanks guy!
judgenot says
Do you ever think that some parents have given their offspring good morals and values and the kid got involved with the crowd to try and fit in somewhere, as all kids look for their piers.Really now blaming all parents because their kid does bad behind their backs,and yes they hide this well indeed, is just plain ignorance on your part. Yes I know this for fact,no I am not a theif nor druggie nor gang member! No I don’t condone these activities, yet I was blindsided and my child learned by the hard way that it was not a lifestyle accepted in any way shape or form. Yes my child had me to deal with too. Oh now that child is a very good parent,spouse,and hard working member of society!
Carrie says
The parents of one of these kids allowed underage drinking and partying at their home..you know what they say kids follow by example!
Amanda says
How can this parent lay down rules when they themselves dont know how to follow rules..these kids only know by example and looks like the adults are by far a good example
alexa says
krendo– thank you for your prayer, we can all use prayer. Please don’t forget to pray for those young gang members and their families.
Our first learned hate says
Unfortunately, we learn our first prejudice from the ones closest to us, our parents. To answer your question: And what do their parents think of all this? I’d answer, fools got caught. Next time, they need to do better. Apparently, striving for an education involves destruction of property, theft of another’s objects, deprive others of the benefits of such objects. Yes, these were the lessons learned from their parents.
Our first learned hate says
Unfortunately, we learn our first prejudice from the ones closest to us, our parents. To answer your question: And what do their parents think of all this? I’d answer, fools got caught. Next time, they need to do better. Apparently, striving for an education involves destruction of property, theft of another’s objects, deprive others of the benefits of such objects. Yes, these were the lessons learned from their parents.
Irena says
It might even be possible that the parents are involved. White supremacists are like any other gang where whole families can be involved.
mychael says
Nope it was just us kids and none of us are whitepower, they said that cuz one of our friends tagged swastikas all over the floors at the school and we don’t do drugs, well we did smoke pot but if you ask me god put that plant here on earth for us, it’s harmless, and not a drug it’s a plant that can be smoked, but know most of us our clean and trying to straighten our selves up, our intentions where honestly nothing we where just drunk as [removed] and doing dumb stupid [removed] and we got caught , amen to all you [removed] thinking we are really that bad of kids lol! Stupid [removed]!