4 Idaho Boys Charged in Setting Fire to Principal’s House

The Associated Press
3/5/2016
Updated:
3/5/2016

PAYETTE, Idaho—Four Idaho teenagers suspected of setting fire to their high school principal’s house in retaliation for being suspended have been taken into custody.

Payette Police Chief Mark Clark told the Idaho Statesman newspaper that one boy’s family brought him to authorities Thursday after the other three were detained Wednesday in the city of 7,500 people.

Clark says two boys were charged with first-degree arson and conspiracy to commit arson, while the others were charged with conspiracy. They are being held in juvenile detention on $200,000 bond each.

Investigators believe three high-schoolers and one middle-schooler started the Feb. 22 blaze that destroyed the home of Payette High School principal Mark Heleker and three cars parked in the driveway. No one was injured.

Clark has said social media posts helped lead investigators to the boys.