Two brothers were charged Friday with breaking into an Irvine megachurch armed with an airsoft replica rifle and ammunition, then vandalizing it before barricading themselves inside for hours.
Brandon Joseph Vielkind, 23, of Anaheim, and Paul Vincent Vielkind, 24, of Riverside, are accused of entering the Harvest Church, 17600 Gillette Ave., about 7:10 p.m. Wednesday, according to Kim Mohr of the Irvine Police Department.
The duo allegedly vandalized electronic equipment, musical instruments and electrical wiring. A security guard in the area spotted the break-in and called police, prosecutors said.
A SWAT team was activated, leading to a standoff that ended when the suspects surrendered about 9:20 p.m., Mohr said.
A motive was unclear, but Mohr said the pair appeared to be under the influence of drugs. One of the brothers was naked when they surrendered, and the other was in his underwear.
Brandon Vielkind was charged with second-degree burglary, vandalism, possession of an assault weapon and unlawful assault weapon activity, all felonies. He faces up to four years and four months in prison if convicted at trial.
Paul Vielkind was charged with possession of a gun with a prior conviction, unlawful assault weapon activity, vandalism, possession of an assault weapon, second-degree burglary and prohibited person owning ammunition, all felonies. He faces a 10-year prison sentence if convicted.
—City News Service