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Oxford students charged with damaging field at Sanford Stadium
Crime - LOCAL

ATHENS, Ga. - Four students from Oxford College of Emory University face felony charges in Athens after allegedly breaking into Sanford Stadium last November and damaging the field.

According to a University of Georgia Police Department incident report, 19-year-old Berwyn David Lu, 18-year-old Katherine Colleen Tyrone, 20-year-old Grace Carolyn Johnson and 18-year-old Taylor Mackenzie Anderson each face charges of Burglary - 2nd degree and Criminal Damage to Property - 2nd degree.

According to the report, UGA PD responded to the stadium Nov. 21 just after 2:00 p.m. on a report of a burglary and met with Mark Delafchell of the UGA athletic department. Delafchell told the responding officer that at approximately 9:15 p.m. Nov. 20, four people  entered the stadium and damaged the field and that a 6 ft by 15 ft section of turf had to be removed and replaced.

A subsequent investigation of the incident showed that the damage to the field exceeded $500. Further investigation reportedly determined that property from inside the stadium was taken during the incident. 

According to the report, the property was identified as three UGA seat backs that were located in the south 100 level of the stadium seating area. The total value of the seat backs was reported to be $24.

According to the report, due to the fact that property was stolen from inside the stadium and the intent of entering the stadium was to commit a theft and cause felony damage to the field, the burglary charge was added. The arrest warrants were signed by an Athens Clarke County Magistrate Court judge Jan. 15.

Oxford College spokesperson Cathy Wooten in a statement to The Covington News said, "Oxford and Emory University are aware of the situation involving the four students, and we are cooperating with the University of Georgia in the matter.  We are unable to provide additional information at this time."