An Arkansas City man has admitted he burglarized two Arkansas City churches last December and stole a pickup that he drove to Winfield where he struck the large lighted wreath at the entrance to the Isle of Lights.
Franklin Pettie Jr., 40, pled guilty March 11 to five of the 16 charges filed against him. The remaining 11 charges were dismissed by the Cowley County Attorney’s Office. He is being held in the county jail and is scheduled to be sentenced April 24.
Pettie burglarized and robbed the Rose De Sharon Church and the Church of Christ before he drove the stolen pickup to Winfield where he was involved in four hit and run accidents. He was taken in custody after the accident at the entrance to the Isle of Lights.
In addition to the three burglary charges, Pettie pled guilty to two traffic citations charging he failed to stop at stop signs. Police said shortly after the incident that Pettie was in the 1000 block of Main Street when he rear-ended a pickup which he rammed several times before turning north with the man driving the truck following him.
In the 500 block of Main Street, Pettie went left of center and hit another pickup head-on, then continued north, crossed the center line again and hit a car head-on. No injuries were reported.
