Two men were arrested Tuesday morning (March 11) in connection with a burglary at Marble City Public School.
Dylan Compton, 21, and Robert Ford, 21, both from Muskogee County, are being held at the Sequoyah County Detention Center on suspicion of grand larceny. Charges are still pending and bond has not been set.
According to Sequoyah County Sheriff Ron Lockhart, deputies responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle near the school around 1:30 a.m.
When deputies arrived at the site the two suspects were attempting to flee the scene in a silver 2008 Chevrolet short bed pickup truck with what appeared to be four large air conditioner units in the back, according to Lockhart.
After a short pursuit with speeds reaching up to 90 miles per hour, the chase ended near Adair County and the suspects were taken into custody.
Deputies found four Rheem air conditioning units in the truck. It was later confirmed those units belonged to the Marble City Public School. Lockhart said it appears the men attempted to steal a fifth unit at the school because its wires were also cut.
Investigators also found an electric organ in the bed of the truck which was discovered to be property of the Cherokee Children Mission church in Adair Co., Okla.
The electric organ and all four air conditioner units have been returned to the church and school. School officials estimate the repair costs could run into the thousands.
Lockhart said investigators are looking at Compton and Ford as potential suspects for several other thefts in Cherokee and Muskogee counties.
Jail officials said the men are scheduled to appear before a Sequoyah County judge Wednesday, March 19 at 1:30 p.m.
