Published on May 21, 2025 7:29 am
Last Updated on May 21, 2025 3:21 pm
(PATRICK GALYEN)
Effingham city police have released a more extensive report on the incident on the city’s northwest side just after 10pm Tuesday. An investigation has led to the arrest of a Fredericksburg, Virginia, man.
At 10:03pm, police responded to reports of a male subject damaging property at Land of Lincoln Credit Union at 1302 Thelma Keller Boulevard. While enroute, dispatchers advised that the suspect had also forcibly entered Al’s Tire Mart at 1304 Thelma Keller Boulevard after breaking its glass door.
Officers arrived on scene within one minute of the call and observed the suspect fleeing on foot from Al’s Tire Mart. Following a brief foot pursuit, the suspect, 38-year-old Patrick D. Galyen, was taken into custody.
Police uncovered damage to the Land of Lincoln Credit Union that included their ATM. The investigation also linked Galyen to a vehicle fire that occurred in the Walmart parking lot at 1204 Avenue of Mid America around the same time. Stolen property from Al’s Tire Mart was recovered after Galyen was taken into custody. While the total amount of the damages is still being assessed, police anticipate it to be substantial.
Galyen is being held at Effingham County Jail on felony counts of arson and burglary, along with counts of criminal damage to property and resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
Galyen is currently being held without bond while the state’s attorney reviews the charges. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.
Lieutenant Detective Tom Webb stated, “We believe this was an isolated incident. The suspect’s actions appear to have been random, and the affected businesses were likely targeted based on location rather than any specific intent. The investigation remains active.”
The Effingham Police Department was assisted by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Effingham Fire Department, and Effingham City and County Dispatch.