Practice News Story 4: Court

Subject: Practice News Story 4: Court
Posted: 4:45 p.m. MT Sept. 26, 2007

Church Burglary will take two to Court

Logan, UT – Preliminary hearing has determined that James Michaels (35) and an undisclosed minor will face 2 misdemeanor charges of breaking and entering and vandalism as well as 1 felony burglary charge. This preliminary hearing, held to determine if there is enough evidence to continue with a trial, was held on Sept 26th, 2007.

On Sept 19th, the accused were arrested with evidence that they burglarized a meetinghouse of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sheriff Deputy Geoffrey Hasty made the arrest late that same night.

The suspects came peacefully and according to the District Attorney Noel Mayfield, “[They were] cooperative, yet firm on the fact they are not guilty.”

Practice News Story 3: Crime

Early in the morning of Sept. 19^th, a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was burglarized. Bob Knotz, Physical Management Manager, arrived around 6:00 a.m. that morning to find two computer monitors smashed in the west hallway of the 16^th East 900 N. meetinghouse. Knotz called police after further discovering that the office of Bishop Lawrence Shirk had also been broken into.

Two computer CPU's units were stolen from this office. Bishop Shirk says that all data had been wiped on the units saying they were waiting to be recycled having been replaced by upgrades. A primary concern of Bishop Shirk was the confidential nature of items in the office. Fortunately, no confidential data was removed from the office.

Sherriff Deputy Geoffrey Histy says there was no forcible entry. He suspects that juveniles may be the source of the incident. The culprits appear to have entered through the window of the Bishop's office. Bishop Shirk remembers distinctly leaving with all the doors locked but doesn't remember closing the window he opened during interviews.

There are no direct witnesses but Evelyn Breathwaite, a resident adjacent to the meetinghouse, was awoken at 2:20 a.m. from a loud crash followed by a vehicle driving away. This gives an estimate of the timeframe of the event.

Bishop Shirk, Sherriff Deputy Histy, and Ms. Evelyn Breathwaite agree this incident is isolated and the neighborhood and surrounding areas are a safe and secure place to live.

If anyone has any additional information regarding this crime, please contact Logan City Police at (435) 716-9300.

 

Practice News Story 2: Fire

Local Restaurant Suffers Loss in Fire

At 2 PM yesterday, Pedro's Mexican Restaurant fell victim to what preliminary investigations reveal to be a grease fire.  Firefighters pulled three individuals from the second story window of this three story building.  Pedro, owner of the restaurant, called for the building to evacuate after failed attempts at extinguishing.  Pedro's brother and his two daughters, 4 and 2 years old, were trapped on the top floor.  Firefighters were dispatched and arrived on scene, having the fire contained within an hour.  They saved the three trapped by pulling them from the second story window.  The three were sent to hospital and later released having been treated for smoke inhalation. Surrounding buildings on Washington Boulevard and 21st Street were evacuated as a precaution.  Fire Chief Greg Chamberlain said the quick containment and prevented spread was aided by the stone exterior of the building.  Rachel Calhoun, owner of the building says she plans on rebuilding and is grateful that no one was seriously injured.