By Noah Chandler

nchandler@cullmantimes.com

Two Cullman juveniles were arrested and charged with burglary and criminal mischief following an early morning break-in at Missionary Grove Baptist Church.

Cullman County Sheriff’s Department Chief Tony Quick said the incident happened around 2:30 a.m. Monday morning. Quick said Corporal Doug Duke was conducting his after-hours business checks when he noticed a damaged basement door at the church.

As he was conducting his investigation, Quick said, Duke heard a vehicle spinning its tires before fleeing the parking lot. Duke pursued the vehicle less than a mile to a residence located on County Road 1192. There Duke confronted the 16 and 17-year-old males and questioned them.

Quick said one juvenile was released to the custody of his parents, while the juvenile driving was arrested for traffic violations and was taken to the Cullman Juvenile Detention Center.

After the sun rose, Deputy Richard Suits went to Missionary Grove Baptist Church, where he was met by a member of the church. While investigating the scene Suits noticed the damaged basement door. After entering the church it was discovered by a church member that several items had been stolen. The items stolen were two dell lap-top computers, small refrigerator, a floor safe, and a DVD player totaling $4,400, on top of the $1,500 in damages done to the church.

Quick said after the scene was processed Sergeant Scott Clay began looking into the two juveniles stopped earlier Monday morning. Clay was able to recover all of the property at a residence located near the Corinth community just off of County Road 1101.

“Deputy Duke should be commended on doing his after hours business checks and his alertness to apprehend the suspects that fled the scene,” Quick said. “I also want to commend Deputy Suits and Sergeant Clay for their thoroughness in investigating the case. Together they combined to perform an outstanding job.”

Both suspects were charged criminal mischief and burglary. Petitions were signed on both juveniles. One petition has been executed and the juvenile was released to his parents. The other juvenile is awaiting his petition to be executed and Quick said he should be processed and released to his parents in the next few days.