18 Columbia students arrested after student prank

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- Columbia police arrested 18 students from Rock Bridge High School after a prank to fill the school with 2,000 balloons went awry.

The 12 males and six female students -- all ages 17 and 18 -- were arrested Thursday on suspicion of trespassing.

Columbia police spokeswoman Jessie Haden says the arrests began when an off-duty officer saw three teenagers entering the building. When Principal Kathy Ritter arrived, other students came out of the school and were arrested.

The Columbia Tribune reports that all 18 students were released on summons. The school was not damaged.

The school's graduation is scheduled for Saturday. Ritter says the students will be allowed to participate in the ceremony.

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Information from: Columbia Daily Tribune, http://www.columbiatribune.com