Police nab six teens at school<br/> Two alleged gang members in jail after Collins Hill vandalized

Saturday, October 17, 2009
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE - Authorities said six teens - including two admitted gang members - were caught trespassing on Collins Hill High School grounds this week.

One suspect was armed with a pistol, police said. Only three were students, and four were minors, officials said.

The two suspects booked in the Gwinnett County Jail - Dennis Pineda, 17, and Daniel Cardenas, 18, both of Lawrenceville - remain behind bars on felony gang participation charges. Both admitted to tagging the school's property with gang markings, according to their arrest warrants.

Pineda, a Collins Hill student, faces additional weapons charges and is being held for immigration officials, jail records show. Police said he carried a .38 Special revolver.

Cardenas, a non-student, is charged with criminal trespass.

Jorge Quintana, Gwinnett Public Schools spokesman, said the six suspects were spotted and detained by officials as they rode through a Collins Hill parking lot in the same vehicle. School was in session at the time, Quintana said.

In addition to criminal charges, the students involved will face disciplinary action, he said.

Principal Glenn McFall distributed a letter to parents Thursday commending the efforts of school authorities to detain the teens, including those who "did not have legitimate business" at Collins Hill.

"Incidents like this are rare at our school," McFall wrote.

The vast majority of students and staff were in class and unaware the arrests occurred, McFall wrote.

A bond hearing for both older teens is scheduled Thursday morning in Gwinnett Magistrate Court.

Sign in to comment

Or login with:

OpenID

Gwinnett Daily Post