Case # 17HF1197
Date: September 1, 2017
BROTHERS TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR BURGLARIZING AND VANDALIZING HARVEST CHURCH IN IRVINE AND POSSESSING ASSAULT RIFLE
SANTA ANA, Calif. – Two brothers are scheduled to be arraigned today for burglarizing and vandalizing Harvest Church in Irvine and possessing an assault rifle at their apartment.
|
Defendant |
Charges |
Maximum Sentence |
Court Date |
|
Brandon Joseph Vielkind, 23, Anaheim
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Charged today with the following felony counts:
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Four years and four months in state prison |
Arraignment Sept. 1, 2017, time to be determined Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana |
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Paul Vincent Vielkind, 24, Riverside
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All four counts above, plus:
Prior Convictions
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10 years in state prison |
Arraignment Sept. 1, 2017, time to be determined Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana |
Circumstances of the Case
- On Aug. 30, 2017, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Brandon and Paul Vielkind are accused of driving to Harvest Church in Irvine, which was unoccupied.
- The defendants are accused of entering the church by smashing a glass window.
- Paul and Brandon Vielkind are accused of possessing four boxes of ammunition and an airsoft replica rifle.
- The defendants are accused of vandalizing the church by destroying or defacing various items including electronic equipment, musical instruments, and electrical wiring.
- A security guard at a neighboring building observed two people breaking into the church with a firearm and contacted the Irvine Police Department (IPD), who responded to the scene.
- At approximately 9:15 p.m., the defendants are accused of throwing a smoke bomb, removing articles of clothing, and exiting the building following negotiations with IPD.
- IPD arrested the defendants and they are accused of possessing a handgun and an assault rifle at Brandon’s apartment in Anaheim.
Prosecutor: Deputy District Attorney Craig Cazares, Harbor Justice Center