Three arrested in Marion Bowl burglary

Three men have been arrested in connection with a weekend break-in at a Marion bowling alley.

Kyle M. Kellison, 19, Jesse R. Akers, 18, and Charles T. Bever, 21, all of Marion, were arrested around 6 p.m. Tuesday after police searched their residences and found property taken in the burglary, police said. Lt. Scott Elam said they admitted to the crime.

The three men are accused of breaking through four glass doors at Marion Bowl, 3465 Seventh Ave., ransacking an office and stealing alcohol early Saturday morning. The loss to the business was estimated at $5,000, police said.

All three men were taken into custody on suspicion of third-degree burglary, which is a Class D felony. Kellison was also charged with possession of marijuana.

Elam said officers quickly recognized Kellison on surveillance video because of the holes in his ears and the glasses he was wearing. Marion police had just arrested him on a warrant on Oct. 13, but he was apparently released, Elam said.

Police knew Akers was a friend of Kellison and recognized a hat he usually wears in the video, Elam said. Bever was another acquaintance. All three were well-known to police.

“We've had dealings with them in the past,” Elam said. “We've arrested them several times for possession of alcohol. I think they have an alcohol problem.”

Elam said it appears the men used some type of wooden club or stick to smash through the glass doors at the bowling alley. Glass was also damaged at the nearby YMCA the same night, but no charges have been made in that case, and the three men did not admit any involvement to it, police said.

Kellison, Akers and Bever were taken to the Linn County Jail.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Oct. 25 --

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Oct. 25 -- Police say burglaries at Marion bowling alley, YMCA likely related