Police are investigating vandalism at an East Bay high school that caused more than $15,000 in damages at the campus.
Video from surveillance cameras at Campolindo High School show a teenager taking a joy ride on an excavator. The video also shows a bright light coming from an excavator before the machine's giant claw reaches up and crushes the camera recording the incident.
School officials said a new solar panel system is being installed on campus, which is why there was construction equipment at the school. It is unclear if keys were lft in the excavator.
School administrators said the vandals damaged piping associated with the solar system energy project.
"They know the schools spent so much money and time investing in all of these restorations for the school," student Sydney Smith said. "If someone really wanted to upset administration, that's what they would do."
Police said the vandalism happened sometime overnight last Friday and then again overnight on Sunday.
"The damage was significant and potentially into the tens of thousands of dollars," Moraga Police Lt. Brian South said.
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Authorities said its clear in surveillance video the suspect was covering their tracks.
"No, I don't think it was a mistake," South said. "We think it was intentionally done."
Police said other surveillance cameras on campus also caught the vandalism on camera.
An arrest has not been made in the case, police said Friday. The suspect could face felony vandalism charges, trespassing and vehicle theft, authorities said.
