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62 New Jersey teens arrested for high-school prank

Students arrested for urinating in hallways, flipping desks and smearing petroleum jelly on door handles, walls.

By Danielle Haynes

TEANECK, N.J., May 1 (UPI) -- Police in Teaneck, N.J., arrested 62 people allegedly caught vandalizing a high school as part of what was described as a senior prank Thursday.

A burglary alarm at Teaneck High School around 2:30 a.m. Thursday alerted police to the incident. Upon arrival at the school, they found urine in the hallways, petroleum jelly smeared on door handles, flipped desks, and streamers and balloons littering the hallways.

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They also found dozens of people, most of whom were minors and were released to their parents after their arrest. Twenty-four of those arrested were 18 years old and are scheduled to appear in court.

Police said some students attempted to run away when law enforcement arrived, and while some got away, most were caught. Some tried hiding in classrooms.

"I've been a police officer 19 years, and this is the craziest thing I've ever seen," said Teaneck Police Sgt. John Garland, adding that some of the students said the vandalism was part of a senior class prank.

"They're learning the hard way that it's not too funny," he added.

Students could face burglary and criminal mischief charges.

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School officials said the school would open as normal Thursday morning.

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