2 Watertown High Students charged with painting graffiti

Two Watertown High School students have been arrested and suspended from school after they allegedly went on an early-morning graffiti painting spree June 3.

District Superintendent Terry N. Fralick said the investigation is continuing and more students might be implicated. Plaudits for the Class of 2009 were painted on walls and windows on all three floors of the school, he said.

The cleanup tab was $339.59, according to Watertown police.

Christopher P. Cole, 17, of 937 Gotham St., and Michael E. Madden, 19, of 1177 Superior St., surrendered to city police Wednesday morning to be charged with third-degree counts of burglary and criminal mischief, both felonies, and making graffiti.

They were released without bail by City Judge James C. Harberson and await grand jury action.

Police said the vandalism occurred shortly after midnight. The means of entry was not disclosed.

"That is part of the investigation," Mr. Fralick said.

Both students are suspended for five days, he said. Their arrests and suspensions should not prevent their graduation from school, he said.