Three teens arrested in church break-ins

Three teens have been charged with burglaries at churches and a school.

Maurice Kenneth Wilson, 17, with a last known address of Moses G Lane, Silverstreet, was charged with one count of burglary third degree, four counts of second degree burglary, grand larceny and five counts of conspiracy. He is being held at the Newberry County Detention Center.

A 16-year-old has also been charged with eight counts of burglary, grand larceny and conspiracy. He is in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

A 14-year-old has also been charged with burglar and larceny.

Wilson and the 16-year-old are accused of breaking into Newberry Elementary School and stealing two laptop computers that were hooked up to Smartboards, which are interactive computer screens.

Wilson and the 16-year-old also are accused of twice breaking into Glory Tabernacle, Lewis Memorial and World Church International churches and once into Church of God.

During the break-ins, the teens allegedly stole musical items, snacks and a few dollars from the churches.

The 14- and 16-year-olds also are accused of breaking into Newberry Elementary School.

Newberry Police Chief Jackie Swindler says the school had the teens on video tape and police were given an up close picture of one of the teens late last week and were able to identify him.

During the search for the suspect, a man making repairs to a home discovered some of the items stolen from his church and called police.

Swindler added police obtained “good evidence” from the crime scenes, but due to the teens not having adult criminal records, they could not be traced through the evidence.

A school resource officer spotted Wilson riding a bicycle near Reuben Elementary School on Monday and arrested him.

Sheriff Lee Foster said the group has also claimed that they broke into Little River Baptist Church and stole two boxes of juice from the church.