Somerset —

Three people accused of breaking into as many as seven rural churches have pleaded not guilty to those charges in court. Kimberly Beth Flynn, 27, of Parvin Trailer Park, off of Ky. 2227, and Kyle S. Norling, 19, and John L. Lykins III, 19, both of Ky. 1674 in Somerset, appeared in Pulaski District Court Monday to face charges connected to the break-ins and acts of vandalism that took place at multiple rural churches in the county. The three were arrested Thursday on criminal mischief, burglary and theft charges after an investigation by the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department led officials to Flynn’s home. The first incident was reported on June 23 with the break-in of the Union Church of Christ, located on Stilesville Road in Science Hill. Nothing was reported to be taken from the building, but the individuals who forced their way into the church committed what Pulaski County Sheriff Todd Wood called “criminal mischief” — in essence, vandalizing the building. On June 25, police received a report of another break-in and vandalism, this time at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church located on Clifty Road. Items were reported to be stolen from that location. On July 11, Sunrise Baptist Church was vandalized, and a fax copier, speakers and a CD burner were taken, among other things. Pine Hill Baptist Church was the victim of criminal mischief on July 13. Hazeldell Church of Christ, located on Stilesville Road, was broken into on July 13 as well, and police reported that monitors and other electronic equipment, along with the church first-aid kit, was stolen. The burglars took a CD burner and a computer as well. That church was broken into yet again as recently as last Monday, stating that the burglars made another mess and took a copier and even the juice used by the congregation during sermons. Lt. Brett Whitaker with the sheriff’s department confirmed through an e-mail that Flynn, Lykins and Norling allegedly entered at least four of the churches twice, including Hazeldell. It was on July 20, Tuesday, when police received a report of yet another break-in — this time at Bethlehem Baptist Church, located on Bethlehem Ridge Road in Science Hill. It was there that the burglars used tombstones from the church graveyard to smash in windows and break in through the doors, “causing a great deal of damage,” according to Wood. On Wednesday, July 21, Ringgold Baptist Church, located on Ringgold Road, reported a break-in, and items were reported stolen there as well. Lt. Philip Cross, with the sheriff’s department, determined, through the investigation, that Flynn may be involved in the break-ins, and he also discovered she had an active warrant as well for failure to appear in district court. Cross made a visit to Flynn’s residence Thursday morning, and it was there he saw “in plain view,” several items that he had become “very familiar” with throughout his investigation into the burglaries. It was at Flynn’s residence at Parvin Trailer Park that police reportedly found speakers, a CD recorder, a laptop computer, first aid kits, a printer, a water hose and other smaller items. Several of those items were identified by police as belonging to Hazeldell Church, Sunrise Church, and Ringgold Church. Cross and Whitaker said interviews with Flynn would later lead them to a residence on Ky. 1674, where Norling and Lykins were arrested. Flynn was charged with three counts of third-degree complicity to commit burglary and three counts of theft by unlawful taking, connected with the break-ins at Sunrise, Hazeldell and Ringgold churches. Norling and Lykins were charged with three counts each of third-degree burglary and theft by unlawful taking in connection with the same three burglaries. Wood said further evidence was collected connecting the three to the other break-ins as well. That information will be presented to the Pulaski County Grand Jury. A fourth individual, who was at Flynn’s residence when Cross discovered the items, was interviewed, and police are stating that person may be arrested as well. Flynn, Norling and Lykins remain in the Pulaski County Detention Center and the investigation is continuing.