DECATUR -- A break-in and theft at a local Decatur church and a subsequent sting operation resulted in the arrest of three Decatur juveniles in connection with felony and misdemeanor charges, according to police.
At 11:24 a.m. Nov. 23, Decatur police officers Christopher Cline and Lance Dixon responded to a burglary in progress call at the Decatur Assembly of God Church, located at 675 Arkansas Highway 102 in Decatur. Upon arrival, the officers noticed glass was missing from a door on the southwest side of the building. As the two officers exited their cars, they were met by Pastor Kirk Anderson and Terry Stephens from the church.
Stephens was at the other end of the building at the time and heard something he believed was the heater coming on. He later discovered that the concession stand and music storeroom had been broken into and called the police.
Further investigation revealed that a fire extinguisher and a brick were used to gain access to the church. Damage to the building and stolen items were estimated at $3,800, according to police.
The missing items -- including an X-box and several game controllers, several guitars and a small sum of money -- led police to conclude that the break-in was likely the work of juveniles.
Cline was called back to the church Nov. 24 by Pastor Anderson, who had obtained additional information on the missing guitars. Anderson was contacted by Rob Montgomery, who reportedly had found photos of the missing guitars posted for sale on the website, www.offerup.com.
After verifying that the guitars were the ones missing from the church, Montgomery agreed to pose as an interested buyer. The two juveniles agreed to meet Montgomery near Veterans Park in Decatur.
Two units from the Gentry Police Department joined units from Decatur to set up a perimeter around the area at Veterans Park. At 5:30 p.m. Decatur Police Chief Joe Savage apprehended one of the youths near a residence on Austin Street. The stolen property was recovered at the scene, according to police.
During an interview, the youth gave up the name of his accomplices, one of whom was later arrested by police units from Decatur and Gentry.
A third suspect was eventually arrested on Dec. 12, according to police.
All three juveniles were charged in connection with felony commercial burglary and two misdemeanors, first-degree criminal mischief and breaking and entering into a building or structure, according to police. After booking, the youths were remanded to the custody of their parents pending trial. A court date had not been set.
General News on 12/27/2017