Man Arrested in Church Burglaries
A young man was arrested in La Crescenta Tuesday night in connection with a burglary that may have been part of a series of break-ins at churches in the area.
Police declined to give any details about the suspect or even to say exactly where he was arrested. His arrest resulted from the investigation of a burglary at a Montrose church in September.
“He was traced through fingerprints that were found at the scene in Montrose,” said Detective Jerry Starks of the Crescenta Valley Police Department.
The series of burglaries has involved vandalism, theft and, in one instance, arson.
Thefts in the series occurred on Sept. 20 at the Church of the Nazarene in Montrose, on Oct. 23 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in La Crescenta, on Oct. 28 at St. Bede’s Church in La Canada Flintridge, on Nov. 25 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in La Canada Flintridge, and on Dec. 5 at the First Baptist Church in La Crescenta.
Office machines, cash or both were taken from each of the churches involved. A fire was also set at St. Bede’s, causing an estimated $5,000 in damage to the office, authorities said.
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