Two men charged in arson, burglary at Rosewood Fellowship Church

LA GRANGE COUNTY, Ind. -- Two men were arrested several hours after allegedly burglarizing and setting fire to the Rosewood Fellowship Church, according to the La Grange County Sheriff’s Office. The church was destroyed in the fire.

Around 6 a.m. Thursday, a passerby called 9-1-1 about fire at the Rosewood Fellowship Church on N. 900 W. in Shipshewana.

Police and fire arrived to the scene and found the church fully engulfed in flames.

The investigation by the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana Fire Marshal’s Office and the ATF of South Bend Field Office found the fire suspicious.

A surveillance system at the church showed two possible suspects and a dark SUV at the church from 12:53 a.m. to 2:15 a.m. before the fire, deputies said.

Two subjects in a black 2006 Jeep Commander were arrested earlier in the morning by La Grange County deputies in an OWI investigation and warrant service.

The men were identified as Andrew E. Yoder and Michael John Wengerd of Topeka.

Property believed taken from the church was recovered from the Jeep.

Deputies said Yoder and Wengerd admitted to the burglary and arson of the church.

Yoder and Wengerd are each facing one count of arson of a church and two counts of burglary.

The church was destroyed and the damage was estimated at over $500,000.

Yoder (L) Wengerd (R)