It wasn't a case of being caught red-handed but rather being nabbed black-footed for two Northland boys who returned to a community pool, into which black paint was tipped into, for a swim.
The cousins, 8 and 11, were spotted in the water at the Northland College Community Pool about 2.30pm on Monday by pool contractor Leif Pakai and his wife Sarah who called police. The duo were with two others aged 6 and 8 years who allegedly snuck through a hole in the fence, broke into the pool's storage room, smashed a water-testing kit and dumped chemicals and rubber-based black paint in the pool on Monday.
The storage room door and a window were also damaged.
Sergeant Robert Rakete, of Kaikohe police, said the boys could not be charged because of their age but would be referred to Youth Aid. He was not sure whether their parents would be charged or required to foot the cost of repairs.
Mr Pakai said he got the two boys to confess and they gave the names of two others that were involved.