Police found signs of forced entry of several portable classroom windows at the Novato Charter School at 940 C St. when they responded to an alarm around 1:30 a.m., Sgt. Eric Riddell said.
Shortly after the burglary, residents of nearby Kelly Drive, and Moffett and Gardner courts reported three people entering vehicles in the neighborhood, Riddell.
One resident chased the suspects away from his neighbor's car and followed them in his vehicle, Riddell said.
Police detained three suspects on Bolling Circle near Randolph Drive, and the neighbor who had been following the suspects arrived and identified them as the suspects he saw entering the vehicles.
Police recovered a small container of paint that was taken from the charter school in one of the suspect's pocket, Riddell said. The three suspects then admitted burglarizing the school and entering the unlocked vehicles, Riddell said.
Nothing was taken from the unlocked vehicles but police recovered what appeared to be property stolen from the school, Riddell said.
Paul Conners, 18, of Corte Madera, and Brian Bickerton, 21, of Novato, were booked into the Marin County jail for burglary, conspiracy, possession of stolen property, vandalism and petty theft.
A 17-year-old Novato boy was booked on the charges in juvenile hall, Riddell said.
