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Juveniles arrested in church break-ins

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By TODD LESKANIC

tleskanic@tampatrib.com

Published: September 12, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - Three youngsters have been arrested in break-ins at three churches, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office said Friday.

Two of the suspects are 14; the other is 12. They were taken to the county's Juvenile Assessment Center and face charges of business burglary and criminal mischief.

On Wednesday, Shady Hills United Methodist Church was ransacked and burglarized.

The intruders broke windows and picture frames and shattered a television screen and fish tank. They stole food from the church's food bank and about $30 from its thrift store. They also took a box containing spare keys, meaning the church must install new locks.

The church, 15925 Greenglen Lane, is across the street from a sheriff's substation. Six patrol cars parked in the church parking lot, including four marked cruisers, had been egged, a sheriff's spokesman said.

On Sunday night, the suspects pried open a window at Iglesia Church, 17505 Shady Hills Road in Shady Hills, and threw cans of paint around the church. They also discharged a fire extinguisher, the sheriff's office said.

On Tuesday night, the suspects broke in to a shed at Bible Baptist Church, 15901 Little Ranch Road in Spring Hill.

Reporter Todd Leskanic can be reached at (813) 731-8098.

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