Broome Churches Targeted in New Wave of Burglaries

Police in Broome County are investigating a series of church break-ins over the past several days.

Binghamton police Monday released clear surveillance images of a suspect in a weekend burglary at a church just east of the Johnson City border.

Detectives say the break-in at First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City at 4 Floral Avenue happened around 4:30 a.m. Saturday.

Police believe the suspect rode an adult-size tricycle-style bike to the church. He took the keys to a van that was in the parking lot.

The burglar left the church building taking the van and the tricycle he had used.

The man is described as having a thin build, some facial hair and earrings.

The stolen vehicle was a blue Kia Sedona van with New York plates CEN-7465.

Two police department license plate readers are located on Main Street near the church. Detectives did not indicate whether the plates were recorded by either reader.

Investigators asked people with information about the suspect's identity to contact the detective bureau at 607.772.7080.

According to WBNG, Johnson City police are investigating a break-in at Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church at 308 Main Street. That church is located less than a mile west of the Binghamton church.

Police also are investigating recent burglaries at churches in the Chenango Bridge and Port Crane areas in which electronics equipment and other items were stolen.

A series of similar church break-ins occurred in Binghamton just over a year ago. City police arrested one man who they believed was the prime suspect in those incidents.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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