Lake Village teens arrested for church vandalism in 2 counties

A trio of Lake Village teens who reportedly admitted to vandalizing churches in Chicot and Drew counties are being held in the White River Juvenile Detention Center pending the outcome of juvenile court proceedings.

The 15 and 16-year-old boys are alleged to caused somewhere between $2,000 and $4,000 in damages to a church in the Jerome area and a church in Chicot County, according to a news release from the Drew County Sheriff’s Office.

The teens reportedly went “mud riding” on the grounds of a church in the Jerome area in early February and damaged both the inside and outside of the church. While there, they are alleged to have broken a window, pictures and light fixtures, busted holes in the restroom walls, and left beer cans and bottles scattered throughout the church and church yard.

While investigating the vandalism to the Jerome church, the Drew County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Chicot County Sheriff’s Office reporting that they had three Lake Village teens in custody for a similar crime in that county.

In Chicot County, the teens reportedly damaged a church, church van, musical equipment and mailboxes.

All three boys are alleged to have admitted to the crimes. They will be placed in the juvenile probation system where they likely will be fined, ordered to pay restitution and may face jail time, according to Lt. Tim Nichols, a criminal investigator with the Drew County Sheriff’s Office.

They are charged with breaking and entering, criminal mischief and being minors in possession of alcohol.