Friday, February 13, 2015
Church Vandals Captured
Press release
On February 7th, 2015, Lawrenceburg Police responded to Coleman Memorial 
Methodist Church on North Military Avenue, in reference to a burglary. Church officials had discovered that their church had been burglarized.
Investigators were called to scene to gather evidence from a very extensive crime scene. Video surveillance and physical evidence showed that two persons entered the church by throwing a brick through a door window.
Once inside the church, the vandals used fire extinguishers to spray in hallways and on walls. There was furniture, tv’s, and chairs turned over and damaged throughout the church. 
Vandals did open soda bottles and spew them on carpet, walls, and tables. Food items and drinks were also stolen from the kitchen areas of the church. Another brick was used to bust out the choir room window. Investigators were able to retrieve video surveillance and began working on developing suspects.
During investigation, investigators sought the aid of local business owners and citizens throughout the community in an effort to identify the suspects.
Due to the high volume of church vandalisms and burglaries in the recent weeks, investigators spent an extensive number of hours investigating these cases in an attempt to bring persons to justice for these crimes against places of worship in Lawrence County. 
During late evening hours on February 12, 2015, investigators with the Lawrenceburg Police Department were able to identify two suspects that were responsible for the Coleman Memorial burglary.
Two Lawrenceburg men were arrested for Burglary, vandalism (over 10,000), and theft. Arrestee # 1 is Zachary Dewayne Kelley, 20 year old. Arrestee #2 is Nicholas Wayne Cox 18 years old. Both men were booked into the Lawrence County Jail, and are being held on a $17,500 bond. 
They are scheduled to appear in Lawrence County General Sessions Court on March 3rd, 2015 at 9 a.m. Attached is photos of some of the damage, and mugshots of suspects. Damages to church are estimated at $70,000.
