Theft of bus keys occurred a week before vandalism

AUSTINTOWN -- The week before nine school buses were vandalized, three 14-year-old boys walked out of the bus parking lot with seven keys that had been left in the ignitions, authorities said.
The theft was not reported to police at the time.
"I don't know why," Superintendent Richard Denamen said.
Although Denamen was unaware of the theft, his assistant and the director of transportation knew the keys had been taken.
The school district has subsequently ended the practice of leaving buses parked with keys in the ignition, he said.
Allegations: Charges are pending against the three freshmen, two of whom police accuse of returning to the parking lot a week later to sabotage buses with the hope of canceling school the next day.
Fire extinguishers were discharged, wires were cut and turn signals were broken off nine buses March 18, causing a two-hour delay in the start of school for some 3,200 elementary and middle school pupils.
The cost of overtime for drivers because of the delayed start, cleaning expenses and repairs totaled $3,308.