Tyrone duo arrested in church vandalism
Trimm, Bunnell allegedly believed building to be ‘demonic’
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From Mirror staff reports
Two Tyrone residents are behind bars after allegedly vandalizing the interior of a Tyrone church because they believed it was "demonic."
Garrett Trimm, 24, and Shaylyne Marie Bunnell, 22, were arraigned Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Matthew Dunio on felony counts of criminal mischief, institutional vandalism, burglary, criminal trespass and criminal conspiracy to engage in burglary. Trimm is also facing misdemeanor counts of theft and receiving stolen property.
Unable to post bail, Trimm and Bunnell were remanded to the Blair County Prison on $200,000 and $150,000, respectively.
Tyrone Borough police were dispatched to the Bible Baptist Church, 1455 Hamilton Ave., Tyrone, for a report of vandalism about 9:02 p.m. Nov. 26., according to the affidavit of probable cause.
On scene, an officer walked through the church and saw four cameras, three TVs and a ceiling projector ripped out of the walls and ceiling, as well as wires ripped out of outlets. The church's pastor told the officer the church was not open to the public during nonbusiness hours.
A church volunteer who worked with the building's security system was able to pull up the security footage, which showed a male and a female, later identified as Trimm and Bunnell, causing the damage, the affidavit states.
Trimm and Bunnell were located, taken into custody and separated. Trimm admitted to entering the church by walking through its unlocked front door. He told officers he damaged the property because he believed the church was "demonic." Bunnell admitted the same, court documents state.
The total cost to replace the security system and TVs was about $5,500, police reported.
Trimm and Bunnell are scheduled for preliminary hearings in front of Magisterial District Judge Carmine Prestia Jr. on Dec. 10.