Three Teens Arrested for Early High School Break-in

The Early Police Department has arrested and charged three teens for the Saturday morning break-in at Early High School.

Early ISD school officials discovered that the high school had been broken into and some damage had been done to several offices.  Early Police Officers responded at approximately 11:35 am Saturday to begin the investigation.  Officers spent approximately 4 hours processing the crime scene, obtaining fingerprints, photographing the scene, and collecting other evidence.

According to Early Police, officers and school officials reviewed the footage from the school’s surveillance cameras and three individuals were observed on the video who school officials recognized by their posture and walk. Officer John Mills also recognized them after he and Officer Pattimae Furry had detained them for a time during the San Saba–Wall playoff game at Longhorn Stadium Friday night for suspicious activity.

Detective Shawn Dibrell and Officer John Mills then went to locate the 3 individuals for questioning while Officer Johnny Brown continued processing the crime scene.

Police say that entry to the school was made through a skylight in the library by one individual who then let the other 2 in at the front door. Once inside, they broke several class room windows, gained access to the main office, broke a large glass to the Dean of Students office and accessed the principal’s office by breaking a window.

Several vending machines were destroyed throughout the building, along with a roll-up door accessing the kitchen. Once in the kitchen, they broke a window to the lunch room supervisor’s office. The suspects attempted to use a cutting torch they pulled from the ag-shop but could not operate it according to police.

The 3 suspects, Jonathan Garrett, 18 years old; Charles Gwinn, 17 years old; and a 14 year old juvenile were located and detained at the time according to Early police.  Two of the individuals refused to cooperate but the 3rd did talk to officers.

Detective Shawn Dibrell along with Captain Tony Aaron of the Brown County Sheriff’s Office wrote an evidentiary Search Warrant for the residence of Jonathan Garrett on Sonja Drive in Early where the stolen items and evidence were believed to be located.

At approximately 8pm Saturday night, Officers from the Early Police Dept along with assistance from the Brown County Sheriff’s Office executed the search warrant and located numerous items of candy and snack food taken from vending machines, all the clothing worn during the burglary and other items taken.

Damage estimates have not yet been totaled but may exceed over $10,000.  All 3 suspects have been arrested and charged with Burglary of a Building and Felony Criminal Mischief.

As of Monday morning, Garrett was still being held in the Brown County Jail on a total of $20,000 bond.  Gwinn was released on bond Sunday.