Two Teens Charged with Trespassing at Old Mill

Two teenagers were arrested Wednesday morning for trespassing at Old Mill High School, and at least one of the teens entered the school twice without permission, police and school officials said.

Neither of the teens are students at Old Mill, but one was as recently as February. While police and school officials said the pair were just there to socialize, one of the teens was charged with weapons violations after three knives were found in a backpack. 

According to accounts from both school officials and police, school staffers first encountered Norman Hardy, 18, of Baltimore in the hallway at Old Mill at about 8:50 a.m. He ran from the building when questioned and school officials notified the school resource officer, police said. 

The resource officer, along with other officers from Eastern District, began a search of the school and the surrounding area. 

About 15 minutes later, school officials found Hardy again near a weight room inside the school. They also encountered a 14-year-old boy who they recognized as a former student. School officials said the two teens are cousins.

The school resource officer searched the teens and found three knives in Hardy's backpack, including two folding "Buck" knives and a martial arts-style knife.

Despite the discovery of the knives, school and police officials said it appeared the boys entered the school in an attempt to socialize. In a letter to parents, Old Mill administrators said it appeared that Hardy entered the school to visit with his girlfriend, and at one point went outside to talk with two current students. 

"We believe that their presence at our school, though unlawful, was simply to see and talk to friends and acquaintances," school officials wrote. "However, our school, our school system, and county police are continuing to investigate this situation."

School officials said it appeared that Hardy entered the building through a door near the weight room that had been propped open. 

Anne Arundel County Public Schools spokesman Bob Mosier said the school system will review security procedures and stressed that school staff are urged to close and lock all doors behind them to prevents trespassers. 

"We spend an awful lot of time on stuff and it's as good as the people on the ground carrying out the plans," Mosier said.

Mosier said the 14-year-old is a former student at the school who had attended classes as recently as February before withdrawing.

Police have charged both teens with trespassing. The 18-year-old was also charged with two weapons violations. 

Mosier said that the school could hand down disciplinary action against two students who left the building along with the teens, as well as anyone else involved.