Bond was denied for three suspects charged with burglarizing Kingtown Baptist Church in McCaysville and a variety of other crimes.
Assistant McCaysville Police Chief Cory Collogan said a cleaning crew found the burglary Saturday afternoon, December 10.
When they arrived at the church, they found a window broken and could see damage inside.
Collogan said the church had been ransacked with doors kicked in, desks broken and other damage. Thieves had taken tools, electronics and debit cards. They had also tried to get into the church gym, but were not successful.
Collogan said he was able to trace the suspects’ actions and determined they had been at Walmart in Blue Ridge.
He asked Walmart officials to keep an eye out for the suspects, who did return to the store.
While observing two of the three suspects, Ronald Charles Ledford and Skyler Faith Crane, shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday, December 11, Walmart officials spotted them shoplifting and called Blue Ridge police who took them into custody.
The third suspect, Tyler Anthony Bonds, left the area when he saw police arriving, Collogan said.
However, Collogan spotted Bonds around 8 p.m. on Blue Ridge Drive in McCaysville and stopped him for an expired registration. He was later arrested for the church burglary.
Ledford, 23, of 85 Brookstone Way, McCaysville, is charged with three felonies; Vandalism to a Place of Worship, Burglary (2nd Degree), and Financial Transaction Card Fraud. He is also charged with two misdemeanors, Theft by Taking (value less than $1,500) in connection with the church property, and Theft by Shoplifting (value less than $500), in connection with the Walmart theft. The shoplifting warrant was taken out by Officer Brian Wingate of the Blue Ridge Police Deparement, while Collogan took out the other warrants.
Collogan said there were also warrants against Ledford for breaking into Fannin County High and the Georgia State Patrol Post in Blue Ridge.
Chief Magistrate Judge Brian Jones denied bond for Ledford, citing that he would be a significant threat or danger to any person, to the community or to any property in the community, and poses a significant risk of committing a felony pending trial.
According to an Initial Appearance Hearing Notice, Ledford is also on parole.
Crane, 18, of 85 Brookstone Way, McCaysville, faces identical charges to the ones against Ledford. Jones also denied bond for her.
Bonds, 30, of 1581 Mobile Road, McCaysville, faces charges in connection to the church burglary plus a trio of drug related charges.
In connection with the church burglary, Bonds faces felony charges of Vandalism to a Place of Worship, Burglary (2nd degree), and Financial Transaction Card Fraud. He faces a misdemeanor charge of Theft by Taking (Value less than $1,500).
Collogan’s traffic stop resulted in felony charges against Bonds of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, and misdemeanor charges of Possession of Drug Related Objects and Registration Suspended.
Jones also denied bond for Bonds.