Katy Neighbors Want Junior High Vandals to Stop, Pay Damages

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

September 15, 2022

By Katy Magazine Editors

Neighbors in Ventana Lakes caught junior high students vandalizing a vehicle and property after school. Several neighbors express concern over the students’ actions and want their damages paid for.

A home security camera in Ventana Lakes caught a group of Stockdick Junior High students vandalizing a vehicle and other property on Monday around 4:30 p.m.. Around five students are seen in the video jumping on the vehicle and kicking at the fence. Those residents that were affected have filed police reports.

Over $1,500 in Damages

“I don’t know why you feel that you need to do this kind of behavior,” says Frank Santopolo. “But you need to count your blessing that we aren’t the type of people that would come out and shoot before asking questions.”

Katy resident Frank Santopolo’s nephew had parked his 2015 Corolla in their driveway when he came to help take Santopolo’s sister-in-law to the doctor. He was helping his family when a group of students jumped on his car.

“We didn’t even know what had happened until our neighbor told us to check out video,” says Santopolo, that still recalls how upset his nephew was over the damage. “That’s when we saw it on the camera. A student jumped on the hood until it caved in. He looked at the damage and then ran off laughing.”

According to the dealership, the damage totals $1,586.

The students also kicked out pickets from a neighbor’s fence.

“We cannot continue to let kids in our society do things like this because it will only get worse and these are the kids that eventually grow up to shoot, rob people with guns, among other criminal activities,” says the resident.

Both residents feel that the parents should be held accountable for the students’ actions.

“I’m not looking to have them locked up,” says Santopolo. “They need to be sat down and really talked to. We are Christians and don’t want to see anyone get hurt. That could happen if they go after the wrong person.”

Both residents have filed police reports. They have also spoken to the administration at Stockdick Junior High.

If you have information, please contact Harris County Constable's Office Precinct 5 at 281-463-6666.

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