Local News
Teen Arson Suspects Wanted School Canceled
Two teenagers who face charges for allegedly trying to burn down their school told police their intent was to get classes canceled.
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WAKE FOREST, N.C. — Two teenagers who face charges for allegedly trying to burn down a school told police their intent was to get classes canceled.
Wake Forest police said Jonathan Scott Pack, of Old Stone Lane Pack in Youngsville, and Clyde Joe Phillips, of Oak Grove Church Road in Wake Forest -- both 16 -- also admitted that they tried two other times to set fire to Wake Forest-Rolesville High School.
Police arrested the two Friday morning after school officials caught them setting fire to a wooded area behind the school's football practice field.
They were each charged with two counts of burning with intent to damage property and one count of attempted burning of a school.
After initially denying any involvement in the blaze, police said, Pack later admitted that he and Phillips had set the fire using oil and lighter fluid.
On May 22, the two allegedly set a fire in one of the school’s restrooms. On Thursday, they tried unsuccessfully to start a fire in the same wooded area using cologne and lighter fluid, police said.
Phillips and Pack were in the Wake County Detention Center Friday afternoon under $20,000 secured bond and mandatory release into the custody of their parents.
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