Man Breaks In To Worcester Church, Offers No Reason

WORCESTER, MA — A Worcester man is facing charges of breaking in to a church on Murray Ave., producing keys to the church and a paint scraper during the booking search.

On Sunday, Feb. 14, around 11:20 a.m., Worcester police responded to 86 Murray Ave, the Concordia Lutheran Church, for break in progress. A caller told police that he was watching a man inside the church via security cameras tied to his phone.

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Officers met with the caller, who said the church should be vacant and locked. Security cameras showed the man looking around inside the church, which was locked, but a set of keys had been stolen from a recent house break on Jacques Ave.

After a brief search, officers found Charles Lema, 52, 187 Pleasant St., Worcester.

Lema was located in the rear stairwell, said police. 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 witness said that all of the doors had been locked.

Police, during a search of Lima, found several sets of keys and a paint scraper. One set of keys worked on the front door of the church.

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

Lema was charged with Trespassing, Malicious Destruction of Property over $250, Breaking and Entering in the daytime with the Intent to Commit a Felony, Larceny over $250.00, Possession of Burglarious Instrument (paint scraper), Receiving Stolen property under the Value of $250.

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