2 Enter Pleas in Burglary, Arson at Schools

Two Sunland men have pleaded innocent to charges that they were involved in burglary, arson and vandalism at two schools, and a third man is awaiting arraignment in connection with the cases, authorities said Wednesday.

Mark Anthony Campbell, 21, pleaded innocent Tuesday to five counts of burglary, two counts of arson and one count of attempted arson. Jack Corbin Rasco, 19, pleaded innocent to charges that he received stolen property, Deputy Dist. Atty. Myron Jenkins said.

Charles Eugene Campbell, 28, Mark Campbell’s brother, remained in custody Wednesday on a previous parole violation and is scheduled to be arraigned on arson and burglary charges at a later date.

The Campbell brothers are accused of twice breaking into both Sunland Elementary School and Mt. Gleason Junior High School during a five-day period beginning May 24, Jenkins said.

“The first break-ins were to burglarize, then they went back and set buildings on fire to cover up the burglaries,” Jenkins said.

The brothers burglarized Mt. Gleason Junior High School on May 25, then returned the next day and set fire to several school buildings, causing an estimated $300,000 in damage, Jenkins said.

The Campbells were also charged with two burglaries at the elementary school, he said.

Police arrested Charles Campbell last Friday on a parole violation, then searched the single room he rented with his brother and Rasco. Police recovered property stolen from the schools, including videocassette recorders and television sets, Jenkins said.

Mark Campbell and Rasco, whom police found watching one of the stolen televisions, were arrested after the search, he said.

Bail for Charles Campbell was set at $65,000. Mark Campbell is being held in County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, and Rasco is being held in lieu of $5,000 bail.

A preliminary hearing for all three men is scheduled for June 14.