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Boy Arrested, Others Sought, for Allegedly Setting Fire to School Bus

Video shows several kids in New York bringing cardboard boxes into the bus and, soon after, flames are seen inside. Police are looking for several other boys in connection with the incident.

May 10, 2016
2 min to read


NEW YORK — An 11-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly setting a school bus on fire on Sunday evening, and police are looking for several other boys in connection with the incident, CBS New York reports.

Surveillance video obtained by CrownHeights.info shows a school bus parked outside the Bnos Chomesh Academy with its front door open and several kids bringing cardboard boxes into the bus, apparently to use to create a fire, and running away. Soon after, flames are seen in the middle of the bus and near the driver’s seat, and then black smoke is seen coming out of the bus. On Monday, police were collecting evidence from the remains of the bus, according to CBS New York.

Police told CBS New York that one boy was arrested on arson and criminal charges, and was released to the custody of his mother. Police still need to determine whether he has been in trouble before, and whether he has behavioral problems, before his fate is decided in family court or juvenile court, according to the news source.

Police also said that they are looking for five or six other boys, ages 11 to 14, who may have also been involved in the incident. Investigators are looking into the possibility of the incident being a hate crime. The New York Police Department told CBS New York that they are looking into another incident that happened last week involving kids in the same age range who allegedly threw a rock or a brick at a school bus.

To read the full story, go here.

Watch the surveillance video from CrownHeights.info below.

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