(The Associated Press circulated the following article on February 8.)
ROCHESTER, Minn. — Authorities Monday were considering charges against four Rochester boys ages 12 to 14 for breaking a switch on the tracks of the DM&E railroad last week.
Police were led to the boys by an anonymous tipster who said they were bragging about damaging railroad property, said Police Capt. Brian Winters.
The damage was done between 5 p.m. Jan. 29 and 10 a.m. Jan. 30. DM&E president Kevin Schieffer said that it could have led to a serious, even fatal, accident. He called it an act of sabotage.
Winters said the four boys were interviewed Thursday and they admitted prying open the lock that protected the switch. Winters said the four could be charged in juvenile court with felonies for causing damage to critical public-service facilities.