Teens arrested for breaking and entering, arson at Bessemer City High School
The Latest:
Two teens are facing numerous charges for breaking into Bessemer City High School and setting it on fire, according to Gaston County Police.
Investigators say Michael Pruitt, 18, of Kings Mountain and a 17-year-old were both arrested in connection to the case. Pruitt is in the Gaston County Jail on a $25,000 secured bond.
Michael Pruitt
The juvenile’s name is not being released but was placed with the Department of Juvenile Justice, according to authorities.
Both suspects are facing the following charges:
- Safe cracking
- Possession of stolen property
- Possession of Schedule II
- 10 counts of injury to personal property
- Two counts of injury to real property
- Misuse of a fire extinguisher
- Breaking and entering
- Burning of a school building
- Seven counts of breaking and entering motor vehicles
- Larceny after breaking and entering
Original Story (Posted Feb. 5, 2026)
Police are searching for a student identified as a suspect in an alleged breaking and entering and arson that happened at Bessemer City High School on Monday, according to the Gaston County Police Department.
On Feb. 2, officers responded to the school on Yellow Jacket Lane about a reported fire. Upon arrival, police said they noticed signs of a breaking and entering and a fire in the school’s press box at the baseball field. The school principal said two concession stands at the football field were vandalized, as well.
The principal also said their school buses were vandalized and one activity bus will need to be repaired after being “significantly damaged.”
One of the suspects is a 17-year-old student. Police said they haven’t located him but will file charges with the Department of Juvenile Justice. Police are attempting to locate one other suspect involved.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. G. Lancaster at 704-866-3320 or Crime Stoppers at 704-861-8000.
