Incident Date: 02-26-2020
Incident Time: 10:59 AM
Incident Location: Lake Region High School 1877 Roosevelt Trail Naples
Release Date: 2/26/2020
Release Time: 9:30 PM
On 2/26/2020 at approximately 11:00am, Lake Region High School officials notified the Sheriff’s Office of a bomb threat received at the school. The threat was found written on a bathroom wall. Due to the nature of the threat, the school determined that an evacuation was necessary and all students and staff were forced to leave. Given the time anticipated to conduct a thorough search of the school, students were dismissed for the day and allowed to go home.
Members of the Sheriff’s Office responded, along with a team of criminal investigators. A trio of bomb detection dogs from the Maine State Police were also called in to assist. These K-9 teams responded from as far away as Skowhegan. A thorough search was conducted, however, no bombs or explosive devices were found.
Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office continued to work the case and interviewed numerous students, along with reviewing school video surveillance. As a result, a 15-year old male was arrested. The juvenile is a student at LRHS and was charged with the crime of Terrorizing. The crime is enhanced to a felony by state statute, as the threat caused the evacuation of a building. Investigators determined that this threat was a hoax and no explosives were placed inside or around the school. Law enforcement continues to work with school officials to determine if other students were involved in planning or making the threat.
After consultation with Juvenile Community Corrections officials, the boy was released to the custody of his parents. The matter will be turned over to the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office.
Threats like the one received today are always taken seriously. The protection of our citizens, particular our school students and faculty, are of utmost importance to the Sheriff’s Office. We will continue to use all resources available to keep our schools safe and to identify and apprehend those responsible for making terroristic threats.
For More Information:
Captain Donald Foss
Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office
207-774-1444