[Vision2020] Moscow Man Charged for Burglaries, Vandalism at Churches and Schools

[Tom Hansen]

>From today's (December 1, 2006) Moscow-Pullman Daily News -

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Moscow man charged for burglaries, vandalism at churches and schools 

Staff report 
Friday, December 1, 2006 - Page Updated at 11:55:44 AM 

A 20-year-old Moscow man has been charged with five felony counts of
burglary, one count of grand theft, three counts of felony malicious injury
to property and two counts of misdemeanor malicious injury to property in
relation to a series of burglaries to Moscow schools and churches during the
month of October. 

Philip Tong was arrested Nov. 4 for burglary after officers responded to an
intrusion alarm at the Nazarene Church on Seventh Street and found him
hiding next to the building, according to a Moscow Police Department press
release. 

Tong was formally charged Nov. 20. 

On Oct. 8, Moscow Junior High School was burglarized, with more than $2,000
in property damage to the safe, interior and exterior doors, glass and other
equipment reported. 

On Oct. 9, McDonald Elementary School was burglarized. Theft and damage
estimates totaled more than $2,000. 

On Oct. 11, West Park Elementary School was burglarized. Theft and damage
estimates totaled more than $1,500. 

On Oct. 20, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was burglarized.
A digital camera was taken and damage to the building was estimated at more
than $7,000. 

On Oct. 23, Emmanuel Lutheran Church was burglarized. Theft and damage
estimates totaled about $1,090. 

Cpl. Bob Marr of the Moscow Police Department obtained a search warrant for
Tong's apartment on Nov. 9. 

After searching Tong's apartment, police recovered property taken from the
break-in at Moscow Junior High, fun-run checks reported stolen from the safe
at McDonald Elementary School, the cash box from West Park Elementary and
keys, a camera and papers belonging to the LDS church. 

Marr interviewed Tong at the Latah County Jail after executing the search
warrant, and Tong allegedly admitted to the five burglaries and vandalism
related to discharged fire extinguishers and a dumped paint can at Emmanuel
Lutheran Church. 

Tong's bond has been set at $10,000. A preliminary hearing for all the
charges has been set for Dec. 7 at the Latah County Courthouse.

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails." 
- Unknown