The Mountain Eagle
WHITESBURG WEATHER

Church thief gets ‘crazy’ on Xanax




Police say a 20-year-old Burdine man has admitted to breaking into a church building and stealing items to help pay for his prescription drug habit.

Robert Tyler Calhoun told Jenkins Police Sgt. Jim Stephens that he burglarized the Burdine Freewill Baptist Church ladies’ auxiliary building on Feb. 10, Stephens said. Acting on a tip from someone who said Calhoun tried to sell him stolen items, Stephens asked Calhoun if he knew anything about the breakin. Stephens said Calhoun told him that he returned a television set that he stole because he felt guilty, but then took additional items from the ladies’ auxiliary building, which is located beside the church.

“He said when he gets on Xanax he does crazy things,” said Stephens.

Stephens said items taken had a total value of less than $500. Hand tools and quilting tools were taken as well as food intended for the needy, Stephens said.

Calhoun was arrested Feb. 14 and charged with third-degree burglary. He remains in the Letcher County Jail. Letcher District Judge Kevin R. Mullins set bond for Calhoun at $ 50,000 cash plus home incarceration.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Feb. 27.



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