Matthew Allen Scaggs

Three busted for church thefts

November 26, 2012; Felony charges have been lodged against three men as the result of a break-in that occurred at a local church in Washington County, Virginia. According to Washington County Sheriff Fred Newman, the Shiloh Freewill Baptist Church, located at 21508 Benhams Road, Bristol, VA, was broken into on Sunday, October 28, 2012. A safe, including contents, and a laptop computer were taken. The total amount of the theft was $1,125.

As the result of an investigation conducted by Sheriff's Lieutenant Scott Snapp of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, three suspects were developed after they attempted to use a stolen check to purchase merchandise at the Wal-Mart Store in Bristol, VA, hours later.

Matthew Allen Scaggs, age 18, of Morristown, TN, has been arrested and charged with: (1) breaking and entering, (2) grand larceny, and (3) attempt to obtain merchandise by false pretense. He is currently being held in the Hamblin County Tennessee Jail awaiting extradition to Virginia.

Justin Matthew Brown

Justin Matthew Brown, age 19, of Bristol, VA, has been arrested and charged with: (1) breaking and entering, (2) grand larceny, and (3) attempt to obtain merchandise by false pretense. He is currently being held in the Hamblin County Tennessee Jail awaiting extradition to Virginia.

Alvin Carlton Lester

Alvin Carlton Lester, Jr., age 32, of Bristol, VA, has been arrested and charged with: (1) conspiracy to commit grand larceny, (2) principal in the 2nd degree to break and enter, (3) grand larceny, (4) conspiracy to obtain merchandise by false pretense, and (5) attempting to obtain merchandise by false pretense. Lester is currently being held without bond in the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Abingdon, VA.