Two charged with arson, burglary in Lexington County church break-in

Two Lexington men are facing multiple charges in connection with a break-in last month at Florence Baptist Church in Pelion.

According to arrest warrants, Timothy Justin Russell, 25, and Austin Scott Miller, 21, both have been charged with arson, burglary and malicious injury to property.

Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon alleges the suspects broke a window to get inside the church and damaged furniture, electronics and other household items valued at more than $2,000, as well as set fire to books.

Koon accused the two suspects of taking a laptop and camera from the church, adding the camera was found at the home of one of the defendants.

Russell and Miller were released from the Lexington County Detention Center after each posting a $67,000 bond.

From Staff Reports

This story was originally published March 20, 2016 at 3:13 PM with the headline "Two charged with arson, burglary in Lexington County church break-in."