Criminal Mischief/Resisting Arrest

A North Platte High School sophomore is facing multiple charges after allegedly slashing another student’s tires in the school parking lot, according to School Resource Officer J. Johnson. He said multiple witnesses saw the boy damaging the vehicle during C-lunch on Dec. 11. Johnson said when he attempted to cite the 15-year-old boy for criminal mischief on Dec. 16, the student resisted arrest. The officer said the student then walked away from him, and verbally and physically refused to comply. Johnson said after the boy pushed him, he restrained him on the ground, but the teen continued to resist being arrested. Assistant Principal Stuart Lenz helped restrain the student. “I gave him multiple, multiple warnings that I would pepper spray him if he didn’t stop physically resisting,” said Johnson. “For the safety of him, myself and faculty, the student was sprayed.” Johnson said the boy continued to fight, and he was sprayed a second time. He said the sophomore finally complied and was arrested. The teen is charged with criminal mischief, a Class III misdemeanor, and resisting arrest, a Class I misdemeanor. He faces up to $1500 in fines and/or over a year imprisonment for the combined offenses.

Minor in possession

Two NPHS girls have been charged with minor in possession of tobacco. According to Johnson, a sophomore girl was caught smoking during lunch on the sidewalk near the stadium on Dec. 16. Johnson said the 16-year-old , had cigarettes on her person. The following day, a teacher reported that a 17-year-old junior had cigarettes in her pocket while sitting in class, according to Johnson. The possession of tobacco charge is a Class V misdemeanor, which could result in a $100 fine and a three-to-five day suspension because NPHS is tobacco-free zone.

Crime at a glance

Johnson said NPHS students were arrested for the following
December crimes committed off of school grounds:

Third degree assault: 2
Criminal Mischief: 3
Criminal Trespass: 1
Possession of marijuana: 2
Possession drug paraphernalia: 2
Possession of controlled substance: 1
Theft by shoplifting- 3
Theft of motor vehicle: 1
Willful reckless driving: 1
Resisting arrest: 1
Driving under the influence: 1
Leaving the scene of the accident: 1