SALISBURY — Four juveniles broke into East Rowan high school over winter break and vandalized the school building, eventually breaking into the school resource officer’s office and stealing the firearm from his safe.

The firearm has been recovered by deputies, a spokesperson for the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

The juveniles allegedly broke into the school around midnight on Jan. 2 by breaking a classroom window. While the subjects were in the school, they randomly entered offices, classrooms, restrooms and locker rooms. The spokesperson said that the juveniles vandalized the different areas of the school by spray painting graffiti on exterior walls, breaking toilets, sinks, turning over chairs and desks, breaking into vending machines and pouring gallon cans of paint onto walls and floors.

At some point, the juveniles broke into the school resource officer’s office. There, they used a stolen drill to break into the safe in the office. After approximately 40 minutes of breaking into the safe, they successfully stole a rifle and protective vest.

Deputies were able to identify the juveniles by viewing security camera footage from the school and through interview, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said that the juveniles were identified and the stolen property was recovered later on Jan. 2.

The spokesperson confirmed that the rifle was properly secured by the officer as stated in the current regulations. A release from the sheriff’s office said that additional steps will be taken to ensure that firearms cannot be accessed at the school, including removing them from school premises after the school is closed.

The release stated that the investigation is ongoing and charges are pending against the juveniles.