Worcester Man Arrested for Breaking Into Church

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Charles Lema, 52, of 187 Pleasant Street, Worcester was arrested and charged with trespassing and a series of other crimes, including, malicious destruction of property over $250.00, breaking and entering in the daytime with the intent to commit a felony, larceny over $250.00, possession of burglarious instrument, and receiving stolen property under the value of $250,00.

This all comes after Lema was caught breaking into the Concordia Lutheran Church on Murray Ave on Sunday, February 14.

Lema will be arraigned on Tuesday, February 16 at Worcester County District Courthouse.

Officers Arrive

Worcester Police responded to the scene after being informed that the person calling in was watching Lema inside the church via a security camera feed that was tied into his phone.

Upon arrival, officers met with the caller who said the church should be vacant and locked. The cameras inside the church alerted the caller that a male was inside.

The church was locked, however, a set of keys were stolen from a recent house break on nearby Jacques Avenue. Lema was still inside when police arrived.

The victim of the recent house break was located and transported to the scene. The victim identified the key as the ones missing from the Jacques Avenue break.

The Arrest

Officers secured the perimeter while other officers entered the church. A brief search located Lema in a rear stairwell. Officers asked why he was in the church but he did not answer. Lema did state that he entered the church by using an unlocked door.

A search of Lema produced several sets of keys and a paint scraper. One set of discovered keys unlocked the front door.