Local teen arrested for threats

Chowchilla police have arrested a teenager for making threats using social media against Chowchilla High School.

The threats came to the attention of the Chowchilla Police Department school resource officer on March 6. They were made not only against the high school, but against the students of the school.

After an investigation, the suspect, a student at the school, was identified, arrested and taken to Madera, where he was booked into the Madera County Juvenile Hall, and was charged with making threats, according to a news release from D. Martin Piepenbrok of the Chowchilla City Hall staff.

“The Chowchilla Police Department is dedicated to keeping our community and schools safe,” the news release quoted police Chief Dave Riviere as saying. “Parents are urged to speak with their children about the consequences of their social media posts. Please encourage them to tell someone about any suspicious posts they may see.

“The Chowchilla Police Department takes all threats we receive very seriously and they will be investigated thoroughly,” Riviere was quoted as saying. “The officers of our department will use every resource available to track down the source of the threat and will pursue charges against anyone who is threatening our schools or community.”