T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Kalkreuth Roofing replaces the roof on a section of Shadyside High School despite vandals causing havoc.

Matthew Lee Lancaster

SHADYSIDE — Three residents who recently moved to the village were apprehended by the Shadyside Police Department at 4 a.m. Wednesday for vandalizing Shadyside High School.

The school is in the midst of a construction project to replace a section of its roof. The section is the newer side of the building where the third floor laboratory is located.

Once that section of the school building’s roof is replaced, the entire 1957 section of the building’s roof will be replaced.

The project is being done by Kalkreuth Roofing of Wheeling. The need to replace the roof stems from a core sample test that discovered moisture in the second layer of the roof. Funding for the construction project is from a Permanent Improvement Fund Levy.

“I want to give a big thank you for all of the continuing support from our community,” Shadyside Schools Superintendent John Haswell said.

During the construction, three individuals gained access to the roof from a ladder inside of the construction zone in the early morning hours Wednesday.

“Police responded to the Shadyside High School where it was discovered that three individuals had gained access to the roof, vandalizing the side of the building with materials used for the construction,” the Shadyside Police Department posted on social media.

Haswell said the three people were throwing 90-pound bags of glue off of the roof, which resulted in costly damages.

The three individuals identified by police as being involved included two minors and 18-year-old Matthew Lee Lancaster, who was arrested and transported to the Belmont County Jail. The jail roster states that he is charged with criminal damaging and theft and is being held in lieu of $1,000 bond on each count.

Officer Brenen Collette declined to comment on the status of the juveniles.

Once police arrived on the scene, they went door-to-door collecting security footage from residents who live on Lincoln Avenue.

“During this investigation, residents reported several items missing in that area,” Shadyside Police Department’s official statement said.

One item in particular that was missing was a black and blue bicycle. After multiple hours of watching surveillance footage and patrolling the area, Collette spotted Lancaster.

“He was riding the stolen bike when I saw him,” Collette said.

“Thank you to the police department who worked hand and hand with us,” Haswell said.

Although every item that was missing was recovered, Collette said there is not a complete itemized list yet, but the Shadyside Police Department is in the process of completing one.