Two arrested in string of church burglaries across three counties
KEARNEY, Neb. — Police say a Kearney man's facial tattoos were enough identify him as a suspect in a Kearney church burglary, later accusing him and another man in several other church burglaries across Central Nebraska.
Buffalo County court records show Ric Brundidge, 34, was arrested by the Kearney Police Department on suspicion of a burglary at Countryside Christian Church that occurred on Nov. 17. KPD said Brundidge was identified on surveillance video from the church, showing distinct "Pure" and "Evil" tattoos above each eyebrow.
KPD said Brundidge and a suspected accomplice, identified as Tyrelle Smiley, 21, of Kearney used a pry bar to gain entry to several churches before ransacking offices and desks in search of valuables.
Investigators said surveillance video in several of the burglaries showed the suspects removing ceiling tiles and crawling through to gain entry to locked offices.
KPD said more than $600 was taken from a cash box at the Countryside Christian Church, with several hundred dollars worth or damage reported to the building.
Court records say Brundidge and Smiley are also accused in a Nov. 11 burglary of Westmark Evangelical Free Church in Loomis, as well as burglaries at American Lutheran Church and Victory Assembly of God Church, both in Gothenburg.
Police said more than $300 in cash was taken from American Lutheran Church and more than $100 from Victory Assembly of God Church.
Brundidge is charged with four counts of burglary across the three counties, as well as two counts of criminal mischief, possession of a firearm during a felony, possession of a short shotgun and felon in possession of a firearm.
Smiley is charged with three counts of burglary, one count of criminal mischief, possession of a firearm during a felony, possession of a defaced firearm, two counts of possession of a short shotgun, possession of a stolen firearm and carrying a concealed weapon. He has not been charged in the burglary of the Kearney church. Both are being held at the Buffalo County Jail in Kearney.
