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HAMILTON, ILL. -- UPDATED: March 10 at 9:10 a.m.

The four Hamilton boys connected with stealing several weapons during a house burglary are due in juvenile court this morning.

One of the 12-year-old boys brought one of those weapons into the Hamilton elementary school Tuesday.

It was a starter pistol that only shoots blanks.

No ammunition was found and the pistol was not pointed at anyone.

Four students were taken into custody after the handgun was found in connection with the burglary of a vancant house in which several guns were taken.

This case stems from an investigation that began earlier this month when police were told some boys were handling a shot gun that had been discharged.

The four 12-year-old juvenile boys have been released to their parents.

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Original release from the Hamilton Police Department

From:  Walter Sellens, Chief of Police

March 08, 2011

On March 08, 2011 at approximately 8:35am this morning Hamilton Police were alerted by the Hamilton Elementary School Principal that he had discovered what appeared to be a handgun in a book bag at the school.  The handgun turned out to be a “starter pistol” which only shoots blank cartridges.  There were no cartridges or ammunition involved at the school.  The starter pistol was not reported to have been brandished or pointed at anyone in the school. 

This case stems from an investigation that began on March 03, 2011 when the police were notified that some boys had been handling a long gun that had been discharged in a wooded area on private property. This weapon was a single shot .410 gauge shotgun in very poor shape.   The shot gun was subsequently found to have been stolen from a vacant residence at 531 Main Street here in Hamilton that belongs to Ricky Wieprecht.   

On March 06, 2011 Hamilton Police were notified by the owner of the vacant house at 531 Main Street that 2 additional long guns and some hunting knives and miscellaneous items were missing.   Police were working with the juveniles involved and recovered one of the missing long guns, the hunting knives and miscellaneous items  and 1 starter pistol which had not been reported missing.  A second starter pistol was found the by school principal today.   

Hamilton Police took into custody today four 12 year old juvenile boys in connection with the case whom had a later court appearance today.  The juveniles were released to parents pending a follow up hearing on Thursday, March 10, 2011. 

Hamilton Police have had good cooperation from the parents involved and credit the Hamilton School system in their prompt response to the event.

Anyone charged with a crime is Presumed Innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.