16-year-old arrested; planned capturing with explosives at Berkeley High, police say

BERKELEY, Calif. - A 16-year-old boy was arrested after recruiting others to participate in a mass college capturing that would have included a bombing at Berkeley High College, police say. 

The teen was arrested Monday, when he turned himself in to police, Berkeley Police Division mentioned in a press release. Monday was Memorial Day and there was no school that day. 

The boy was arrested on suspicion of possessing harmful system materials and threatening to commit a criminal offense which can result in loss of life or great bodily damage.

Police stated they received a tip on Saturday that the boy was recruiting others in plans of a taking pictures that included explosives. Following the tip, police obtained and executed a search warrant for a residence. 

Police didn't say if the teenager was a pupil at Berkeley High School.

Upon executing the search warrant, police stated they found components to explosives and assault rifles, a number of knives, and digital gadgets that may very well be used to create additional weapons. 

At that point, a warrant was obtained for the teenager's arrest. 

SEE ALSO: Oklahoma hospital taking pictures: 3 individuals killed, suspect useless, Tulsa police say

"Faculty security remains a high priority for the division," police stated in an announcement. 

Details on whom the teen was making an attempt to recruit were not disclosed. Police stated this case remains beneath investigation. 

Berkeley Unified Supt. Brent Stephens instructed the college's community that the district was in close contact with police throughout this investigation. 

After police confiscated the teen's weapon parts, the district relied on police experience to evaluate any potential ongoing threat to its schools. The district communicated with police on the scholar's whereabouts. 

"As added precautions during this period, we alerted our administrative and safety employees about this investigation and, as is our normal observe, maintained close contact with our BPD College Useful resource Officer on the Berkeley High School campus," Stephens wrote. "All through the investigation period, we were assured that this individual did not pose an immediate threat to the Berkeley Excessive School community."

The district is conducting their very own investigation on this matter. 

The district may pursue disciplinary motion towards the scholar. 

As well as, a city corridor assembly titled: 'Methods to Talk to Children About School Violence' provided by Alameda County Workplace of Schooling is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m.