Elfrida teen arrested in high school arson

By XAVIER ZARAGOZA
The Douglas Dispatch
Published/Last Modified on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 3:09 PM MDT


A 16-year-old Elfrida boy was arrested Friday in connection with setting fire to the administration building at Valley Union High School.


Corona

Manuel Corona was arrested and booked at the Cochise County jail in Bisbee. He was charged as an adult on felony charges of arson, burglary and aggravated criminal damage.

Corona is being held on a $20,000 bond, said Carol Capas, the spokeswoman for the Cochise County Sheriff’s Department.

“It’s a tragedy when a crime as senseless as this happens in any community, and an even greater tragedy when it involves someone so young,” said Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever.  “Through the hard work and dedication of our Deputies the case was brought to a swift and just closure for the school, the students and the community at large.”

On July 23 at about 1:40 a.m. an Elfrida resident spotted smoke billowing from the high school.

The Elfrida Fire Department and the Sunsites Fire Department responded to the fire.

The administration office at the school was severely damaged. This office contained the superintendent’s, principal’s, counselor’s, and business manager’s offices. The damage was estimated at about $250,000.

While investigating the school for further damage, the deputies also found that the science building had been vandalized. The extent of the damage there was about $30,000.

Copyright © 2012 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    mother wrote on Oct 24, 2008 9:31 PM:

    " why are you all sure he is guilty??? and another thing you don't know is how elfrida community hates my family and why didn't they arrest the boy that was at the crime scene early in the morning hours after it happened!? "

    Robert Hiebert wrote on Aug 3, 2008 6:05 PM:

    " I'm grateful the allegded offender has been apprehended, I didn't think it would happen. "

    Tony wrote on Jul 30, 2008 12:15 PM:

    " His parents must be proud "

    albert wrote on Jul 29, 2008 6:41 PM:

    " what's wrong with our children today.and where were the parents "

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