Police: Boys, ages 11 to 13, charged for ‘operating and crashing school buses into one another’

Delaware State Police have charged three boys, age 11, 12 and 13, for allegedly playing an expensive game of bumper cars with fifteen school buses in New Castle yesterday.

Investigators said neighbors called police around 6:20 p.m. to report three suspects were driving the buses around the Advanced Student Transport fleet lot and crashing them into each other.

Responding state troopers said they found several buses still in motion as three boys hopped out of the vehicles and fled on foot. They were later located, identified based on witness descriptions and taken into custody without incident.

Further investigation revealed that the boys had entered the secure lot and comandeered eight buses, striking seven other buses, several areas of the perimeter fence, three gates and a port-a-potty, which investigators say was destroyed. A total of 15 buses were allegedly banged up, with damages estimated at more than $22,500.

One boy, 13, from New Castle was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, conspiracy, criminal mischief and criminal trespass. Two other suspects – an 11-year-old from Elkton, MD and a 12-year-old from New Castle – were charged with the same offenses, plus tampering with evidence.

The juveniles were released pending Family Court hearings.