Men arrested for alleged car break-in at church

Published 12:00 am Friday, February 14, 2003

An investigation into an abandoned car turned into two arrests Wednesday morning.

Warren Hinson, public information officer with the Selma Police Department, said that Sheriff’s Deputy Jerome Fields was driving down Highland Avenue around 1 a.m. when he saw an abandoned car in Elkdale Baptist Church’s parking lot.

Fields also noticed another car that was occupied parked next to the abandoned vehicle.

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Upon closer inspection, Hinson said that Fields saw a man in the abandoned car. One of the car’s windows, she added, was broken.

Fields contacted the police, and told them that a breaking and entering was taking place.

Officer Brian Dixon arrived on the scene and both he and Fields approached the vehicles.

They found Andrew Lenard Cole, 21, in the abandoned car and Jairious Acoff, 18, in the other vehicle, Hinson said.

Hinson said that burglary tools, including a hammer, screwdriver and knives, were found on both men.

Hinson said, Cole told the officers that he was riding by the parking lot when he saw the car and recognized it as his cousin’s. He said he then stopped to examine the car.

Dixon called in the tag number of the abandoned car and checked with the owner. Hinson said that the car’s owner didn’t know about the cousin Cole was talking about.

Sgt. Roy Nix of the Selma Police Department then arrived. Evidence was collected and the burglary tools confiscated, Hinson said.

Cole was arrested for unlawful breaking and entering of a vehicle, possession of burglary tools and giving false information to the police.

Acoff was arrested for unlawful breaking and entering of a vehicle and possession of burglary tools.

Both men were transported to the Dallas County Jail, Hinson said.

Acoff was released on $2,500 bond on Wednesday. Cole, however, remains in prison under $8,000 bond.