A group of teenagers accused of releasing more than 70,000 ladybirds in a US high school as a graduation prank have been taught a tough lesson.
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The seven males are now facing criminal charges following their alleged stunt at Chopticon High School in Morganza, Maryland, last week, police say.
72,000 lady bugs released into Md. school for senior prank leads to criminal charges http://t.co/eDigSeCsn7 #fox5dc pic.twitter.com/eEuXFqqOyp— FOX 5 DC (@fox5newsdc)
May 26, 2015
The St Mary's County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that students arrived at the high school on May 20 to find thousands of ladybirds (called ladybugs in the US) swarming through the hallways.
"I saw one ladybug just pass me, and then, all of a sudden, there was like 1000," a student, Trinity Alexander, told Fox 5.
An investigation revealed that, about 3.40am that day, five people who had concealed their identities with masks and hooded jumpers forced open a door at the high school, while two others waited in a getaway car.
Fox 5 reported that six of the group were students, who were were graduating this year, and one was a former student.
The intruders released about 72,000 ladybirds throughout the school buildings, police said.
One of the group had ordered the ladybirds on the internet, police said. Live ladybirds are available for purchase on a number of websites, including eBay and Amazon.
Four of the teenagers were charged with burglary, property destruction and disruption of school activities. They were released into the custody of their parents.
Police said three males, who were over 18, would be charged by criminal summons.
Fairfax Media