Students arrested in vandalism of coach’s house
Costa Mesa police have arrested four students suspected of vandalizing a Costa Mesa High School football coach’s house, according to internal city correspondence reviewed by the Daily Pilot on Friday.
The email, written Friday afternoon by Police Chief Rob Sharpnack, said a school resource officer helped connect two Costa Mesa High seniors and two Back Bay High School seniors to the Oct. 17 vandalism against first-year coach Glen Fisher’s residence.
All four boys admitted “full responsibility,” Sharpnack wrote. They were arrested and released to their parents.
The four boys are suspected of egging Fisher’s house and leaving an Estancia High School parking sign on his lawn.
The vandalism occurred following the Mustangs’ 23-0 loss to the rival Estancia Eagles in the annual Battle for the Bell game Oct. 16.
“All four boys stated they did not believe the eggs would cause damage,” Sharpnack wrote.
Sharpnack added that one Back Bay student had the sign at his home.
The Newport-Mesa Unified School District is aware of the arrests, Sharpnack wrote.
Fisher, who wasn’t immediately available for comment Friday afternoon, told the Daily Pilot on Sunday that the egg damage was substantial. He estimated the cost of cleaning and repair at $1,000.
“If anyone put just the sign on my yard, that would’ve been pretty darn clever,” Fisher said. “But the vandalism, I’ve been spending the whole day to get the egg off. I can’t get it off the driveway. I might have to paint the house because I can’t get it off the stucco. It’s disappointing. It’s a shame.”
An Estancia representative said he was disappointed in an initial news story that he felt pointed the finger at students from his school.
Robert Murtha, the Estancia booster president, said, “The Estancia football family was severely disappointed with the Daily Pilot article which we believed inferred our players’ involvement in the egging of Coach Glen Fisher’s home. In the end our players played a great game in the 49th Battle for the Bell.
“We hope those community leaders who were quick to point fingers apologize and learn a valuable lesson. Civility is important especially when kids are involved.”
