Joliet Blotter: Church Burglar Drinks Communion Wine; Vandal Strikes Cemetery

Aug. 26

Someone entered a garage in the 500 block of Fairbanks and stole a lawn mower and Weber grill, as well as spray-painting the garage service door, police said.

Someone broke into a home in the 1900 block of Rowell and stole $30 in coins and a bracelet, according to police.

Aug. 27

Someone broke into a home in the 200 block of Old Elm and stole Air Jordan gym shoes, police said.

Timothy McNally, 53, of the 16000 block of Saddlewood Drive in Lockport, was arrested at Chicago Street and I-80 and charged with DUI and disobeying a traffic-control device, police said.

Aug. 28

An elderly victim in the 3300 block of Caroline Drive told deputies that an unknown white male subject came to her door and identified himself as an employee of the water department. He told the victim that he needed to check her water pipes, police said. After she let the man inside, he told her she would need to shut off the water supply under her kitchen sink. The victim got onto the floor and reached inside the cabinet while the man asked her to turn the valves on and off several times. The suspect then left the home. The victim later found that several pieces of jewelry had been stolen, police said.

Aug. 29

Someone broke into the main sanctuary at Truth in God Church, 500 Ontario, moved several items around and opened and drank some Communion juice, police said.

Aug. 30

A day after another break-in at Truth in God Church, 500 Ontario, someone allegedly broke a window and door and entered the church. Nothing was reported missing, police said.

Aug. 31

Someone entered a detached garage in the 1000 block of Maplecrest and stole a Schwinn mountain bike, police said. At another home on the same block, someone broke the window on a vehicle and stole a purse, according to police.

Someone causes severe damage to a granite vault mausoleum crypt cover at Woodlawn Cemetery, 23060 W. Jefferson St., police said.