Two juvenile suspects arrested in case

The vandalism of a county church has led to the arrest of two subjects.

On Sept. 21, an Okmulgee County Sheriff ’s Office deputy responded to the 16300 block N. 346 Road to a report that Eram Baptist Church had been broken into and badly vandalized.

Deputies conducted a scene investigation and collected evidence including DNA swabs, photos and other evidence.

OCSO Deputy Smalley also took a sto- len motor vehicle report in the same vicinity a few hours prior to the church burglary and noted a communion cup in the truck. When the church burglary call investigation began, Deputy Smalley contacted OCSO Investigator Jason Dawson and requested assistance with the investigation.

Investigator Dawson was able to generate a suspect in both the stolen truck and church vandalism cases and was able to set up an interview with the suspect.

“During the interview, the suspect provided information that led to credible information that led to the generation of another suspect in the cases,” Undersheriff Smokey Patchin stated. “Investigator Dawson was able to locate and secure a video of another suspect throwing a concrete block through a window of the church.”

The suspect was identified and later located in Broken Arrow. According to Patchin, the suspect was later interviewed by Investigator Dawson and admitted to being present and taking part in the vandalism of the church.

A criminal case has been turned into the District Attorney’s Office and charges have been filed against both juvenile suspects in this case.

Sheriff Rice wants to thank the public for their diligence in assisting investigators in this case and their hard work in locating and turning over the video of the vandalism. Sheriff Rice also wants to extend his sincere apology to the church congregation that has endured this tragedy.