3 Juveniles Charged In Big Lake Church Vandalism
BIG LAKE, Minn. (WCCO) -- Three juveniles have been charged with allegedly causing extensive amount of damage to – as well as burglarizing from – a Big Lake church.
On Aug. 1, 2012, Big Lake cops responded to a reported burglary at the Saron Lutheran Church, located at 311 Lake Street South.
An investigation determined that the suspects entered the church through a door found unsecured, removed three bikes and several other items. The suspects then used three fire extinguishers in the church and sprayed their contents throughout the building, including into an organ, piano and several electronic components.
On Tuesday, juvenile petitions were signed for two 15-year-old males from Big Lake and a 16-year-old male from Monticello. Their charges include second-degree burglary and first-degree criminal damage to property.
At the time of the incident, there were items donated for a community sale, which proceeds are used to benefit church youth.
Those items for the sale had to be disposed of and the estimated clean up cost for the incident is approximately $129,000.
