Two Arrested In Church Burglary

Two young men were arrested Sunday and will face state jail felony charges after their admitted involvement in the burglary of Van United Methodist Church.

Ryan Lee Crowley, 17, Lindale and a juvenile were both taken into custody. Crowley was transported to the Van Zandt County Justice Center and the juvenile was taken to the Van Zandt County Juvenile Center in Grand Saline.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, November 29, the church was broken into and several thousands of dollars worth of equipment, a safe and money was taken.

The Van Police Department processed the scene shortly before the Sunday morning service and was able to obtain fingerprints from some of the equipment. Additional equipment that the suspects had boxed up and left in the lobby area of the church was also found.

Van Police Chief Kelly Smith, Captain Dusty Cook, Corporal Clarence Layne and Officer Jacob Richardson interviewed the suspects and their families for most of the day on Sunday. That is when both suspects admitted their involvement in the crime.

"We followed up on several leads Sunday including information gathered from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and from witnesses and were able to identify these suspects and bring them in for questioning," said Smith.

The safe that was taken was recovered on Smith County Road 448 and brought back to the church. The safe had been opened after the suspects threw it from their truck. Items from the safe were also recovered.

A sound board that was recently purchased by the church valued at approximately $5,000 was found in a wooded area in the city, along with two flat screen computer monitors and a cart that belonged to the local Loaves and Fishes Ministry.

Three guitars that were taken were also recovered in Smith County near County Road 448, along with a video camera and other small electronic items.

Both suspects could face up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

Van Police Officer Bobby Geddie took the initial report.