
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 3, 1995                   TAG: 9505030029
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-5   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: GOOCHLAND                                LENGTH: Short

7-YEAR-OLDS COULD FACE VANDALISM CHARGES

John and Sheila McCalla came home from a Saturday trip to find their china and crystal smashed, compact discs tossed about like toys and grenadine and creme de menthe on their antiques and grand piano.

Police say damage will amount to $100,000, and they suspect it was done by two 7-year-old boys who were out for a weekend romp in the neighborhood.

``Devastated would come close to describing the damage they did,'' Goochland Sheriff's Deputy Theresa Pleasants said.

Sheriff Jim Agnew said the boys climbed a ladder and used a brick to break out a second-story window. Once inside, they raided the McCallas' refrigerator and smeared the food they found all over the house.

Pleasants said the county commonwealth's attorney is considering what charges can be brought against the boys.

The sheriff said the boys flung CDs about like Frisbee disks, poured detergent on the carpet, pulled insulation loose from under the house and dumped rocks into the gas tank of a Jet Ski.

Police said the two boys, playmates of the McCallas' 7-year-old son, offered no explanation for the weekend rampage.

The McCallas were on a trip Saturday to Westmoreland County when a relative called to tell them of the vandalism.

The damage was so extensive that the family had to find other housing during the cleanup.

``The cleaning people have been in there for two solid days now,'' John McCalla said Monday.

The families of the two boys have tried to contact the McCallas, but McCalla said, ``I haven't been in a mood to call them back.''

Memo: NOTE: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.

by CNB