CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Charleston police arrested at least three juveniles in a stolen vehicle Tuesday, shortly after they entered George Washington High School just before 8 a.m., according to the principal and police.

Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster and Deputy Chief John Shannon said the case has been referred to juvenile court. They were not sure Wednesday afternoon if the juveniles are local or attend school in the area.

Webster and Shannon said the juveniles were arrested because of the stolen vehicle and were the same teenagers who tried to enter the school.

Shannon said someone at the school asked the teenagers to report to the office and they refused. George Washington Principal Melissa Ruddle said school officials recognized that the juveniles were not students at the high school. She said the suspects did not enter the school with a gun, as had been rumored. Neither Ruddle nor police know why the juveniles entered the school, they said.

The suspects were quickly escorted off school property, and just before officials ordered a lockdown, Ruddle said.

Ruddle said she believes all those who entered the school were males, but Webster and Shannon said at least one was a female.

Charleston Sgt. Aaron James, assistant chief of detectives, said he did not immediately have a copy of an arrest report.

"We followed all safety procedures and it did not become an incident," Ruddle said. "Overall I was pretty pleased at the way everyone responded."

Charleston police responded to the scene quickly, she said.

Reach Davin White at davinwh...@wvgazette.com or 348-1254.

Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster and Deputy Chief John Shannon said the case has been referred to juvenile court. They were not sure Wednesday afternoon if the juveniles are local or attend school in the area.

Webster and Shannon said the juveniles were arrested because of the stolen vehicle and were the same teenagers who tried to enter the school.

Shannon said someone at the school asked the teenagers to report to the office and they refused. George Washington Principal Melissa Ruddle said school officials recognized that the juveniles were not students at the high school. She said the suspects did not enter the school with a gun, as had been rumored. Neither Ruddle nor police know why the juveniles entered the school, they said.

The suspects were quickly escorted off school property, and just before officials ordered a lockdown, Ruddle said.

Ruddle said she believes all those who entered the school were males, but Webster and Shannon said at least one was a female.

Charleston Sgt. Aaron James, assistant chief of detectives, said he did not immediately have a copy of an arrest report.

"We followed all safety procedures and it did not become an incident," Ruddle said. "Overall I was pretty pleased at the way everyone responded."

Charleston police responded to the scene quickly, she said.

Reach Davin White at davinwh...@wvgazette.com or 348-1254.