Youths cited in vandalism rampage

Four Sisters area youths were cited for a total of 108 charges associated with a spree of criminal mischief in Sisters in recent weeks.

David Helton, 14, and Jeb Partner, 15, each were cited on more than 40 charges, including felony charges of second degree arson and second degree burglary.

According to sheriff's office reports, the two youths vandalized businesses on a five night spree. Two other youths participated on individual nights.

One of those was also cited for arson and burglary. Sheriff's deputies believe that youth was influenced by Helton and Partner and got caught up "trying to prove (he) was tough."

A fourth youth was cited on lesser charges.

The vandalism spree allegedly included breakage of fixtures and grafitti at businesses, setting fire to papers on a notice board and spraying fire extinguishers on vehicles and buildings.

The fire extinguishers were allegedly taken when the youths broke into school buses and stole them, acts which led to burglary and theft charges.

According to sheriff's office reports, the youths will be referred to the Juvenile Empowerment Team Diversion program and their cases will be disbursed from there, possibly to juvenile corrections.