May be responsible for Iowa church burglaries, too.

According to a news release from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s, three Sioux County men were arrested Thursday, Dec. 28 for attempted burglary of a church in rural Lincoln County.

Over the last month, Lincoln County deputies have been investigating several burglaries of rural churches in the county. They have been working with neighboring agencies in both South Dakota and Iowa in counties experiencing similar church burglaries.

On December 28, the release said, Lincoln County deputies suspected there was a particular church south of Canton that was going to be the target of another burglary. Because of this, two deputies were stationed inside the church that night. While the two deputies were inside the church, two men came up to the back door and attempted to break in. While they were attempting to get through the door, the men suddenly left.

Deputies were able to see the suspects leave in a black Chevrolet Avalanche. Another deputy was nearby and was able to locate the truck and eventually pulled it over. Arrested were 31-year-old Billy “Ty” Phillips from Hawarden, Iowa, 27-year-old John Carr from Sheldon, Iowa, and 19-year-old Darren Nichelson from Sioux Center, Iowa were taken into custody. Inside the truck, deputies discovered methamphetamine, burglary tools, and other items of interest relating to burglaries.

All three suspects were transported to the Minnehaha County Jail and booked in on charges of burglary 3rd degree, possession of burglary tools, possession of a controlled substance, and ingesting a controlled substance. The driver also had an added charge for having forged paper plates.

The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the South Dakota Highway Patrol and the Canton Police Department.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Although they did not say, nor were they contacted by a reporter, Reformed Church leaders in Sioux County, Iowa were likely considerably relieved that none of the three suspects had Dutch surnames.)