DAYTON – The Dayton Police Department arrested two juveniles Saturday connection with the vandalism of Oak Park, and the burglary of the adjacent Dayton Rodeo Grounds.

The juveniles were released to their parents’ custody and have been referred to juvenile court. Their names have not been released.

The two have been charged with two Class D felonies: burglary third degree and criminal mischief second degree.

The Dayton Festival of Lights was heavily damaged by vandals late on the night of Nov. 14.

Many of the decorations were homemade and more than 20 years old. Wooden reindeers’ heads were snapped off, angels were snapped in half, and pieces of shattered plastic candy were strewn across the lawn.

Dayton Police Chief Wayne Pigman said he believes these were the only two suspects involved.

“They said it was just them. I believe them, according to the evidence,” Pigman said.

Evidence at the scene led him to the two juveniles, including surveillance footage from in town, and footprints left at the scene.

“You could clearly see the print of the shoe,” Pigman said.

Beverly Jondle, who has spearheaded the display this year, was very happy to hear the news.

“I was very glad they caught them,” Jondle said.

Much has been broken, but the community has helped out, she added.

“I cannot believe the amount of people who have donated items, which is totally awesome,” Jondle said. “I’m still getting stuff people donate for up there. There are some really neat things I’ve never seen before.”

One man donated a Santa display that belonged to his great-great-grandfather, she said.

Kendra Breitsprecher said she was very pleased the vandals have apparently been caught. Breitsprecher is secretary of the Dayton Community Club, which oversees the festival.

She hopes the culprits end up helping with the festival as a form of restitution.

“I think an appropriate punishment would be community service. I think that would be wonderful if they could be the ones that go out when it comes time to tear down the Festival of Lights,” Breitsprecher said. “Hopefully they learn from it and they learn to give back to their community.”

On a special work day held after the vandalism, about 10 to15 people came to volunteer their time, Jondle said.

“It’s coming around. It looks really cool up there. I have a bunch more things I want to get done before this weekend.”

This weekend and the next weekend, Santa and some elves will be on scene at the display, Jondle said, and there will be a drawing for some Christmas presents.

Some of the wooden displays have been pieced back together for this year. Come spring, Jondle hopes to trace around them and create replacement pieces.

“If one little kid can remember a cool memory of it, that’s my goal,” Jondle said. “So I’m going to go out and make it really cool.”