Five local youths were arrested early Wednesday morning after breaking in at the Settles Hotel. Officials with the Settles Hotel Development Company say vandalism and break-ins at the downtown landmark — currently undergoing massive renovations — have already cost thousands of dollars. (HERALD file photo)

By THOMAS JENKINS     
Staff Writer
Area teens looking for cheap thrills by breaking into the historic Settles Hotel may want to think twice.  Five area residents were arrested during the early morning hours Wednesday, thanks to a newly installed silent alarm, according to officials involved in the restoration of the downtown landmark.

Arrested were 19-year-old Spencer Briggs; Calvin Austin Garvin, 19; Ky Hofacket, 20; Carlton Thomas Johnston, 18; and Joseph Andrew Mackey, 19. All five were charged with criminal trespass and consumption of alcohol by a minor.

According to Settles Hotel Development Company General Manager Kristopher Ryan, area youth looking to use the Settles Hotel as a hangout or place to drink had might as well go ahead and book themselves a room at another local landmark: The Howard County Jail.

“I'm sure the Settles has been a popular place for kids to do these kinds of things for many years, maybe even a rite of passage for some,” said Ryan. “However, if they are going to break in these days they might as well plan on being arrested.”

Ryan said the youths were arrested shortly after 3 a.m., but Wednesday's break-in wasn't the first time he and his staff have had to clean up after wayward teens.

“We had two break-ins during the Halloween weekend,” said Ryan. “We don't know that the kids who were arrested are the same ones, but it's certainly possible. During that break-in, the vandals broke out some windows, even tossing bags of cement off the 15th floor. There was also a small air conditioning unit that was tossed from the same floor.”

Ryan said vandalism has already generated several thousands of dollars in damages at the work site, but he hopes the recent installation of an alarm system in the building will help stave off would-be trespassers.

“The building is now equipped with a silent alarm, so if they want to come back they are going to jail,” said Ryan. “There are just too many ways to get hurt in there. When they were hiding from the police, one of the officers said they were using the old elevator shaft, which is a recipe for disaster. They also ran up toward the top of the building to try to elude the police, and there are just so many different ways you can get hurt in there, especially running around in the dark.”

The building, erected for $500,000 in 1930, was a destination of choice for travelers for many years — as well a center of activity for the community — but has been vacant and in an advanced state of dilapidation for more than two decades.

Brint Ryan, a Big Spring native, announced plans for the multi-million dollar renovation project in December 2006. According to SHDC officials, the project includes plans for commercial and residential use of the property, with retail space available on the first and second floors. The project's budget has ballooned from $12 million to $20 million since its inception.

Abatement of the property — as well as structural repairs — was completed in July, according to SHDC officials. Since that time, progress in rehabilitating the structure has gone smoothly, according to Kristopher Ryan.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it