Police: Man Suspected In 3 Cranford Church Break-Ins

CRANFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Police in New Jersey are looking for a man who they said broke into a priests' residence Saturday and may be responsible for two other church burglaries in the area.

Surveillance video shows the suspect walking into St. Michael Church in Cranford. After roaming around, the man entered the residence of a priest through an unlocked window, police told CBS2's Christine Sloan.

The man was confronted by a priest several minutes later, police said. Wozniak said police believe the priest scared off the suspect before he could take anything.

Investigators said someone has stolen cash from two other churches in town. They believe the incident at St. Michael is connected to those thefts, Sloan reported.

"At this point we do believe they're connected based on surveillance video we've obtained from two of the locations," Detective Sgt. Gerard Quinn told 1010 WINS. "It does appear to be the same suspect."

Police also said pry marks found at St. Michael Church match those found at Cranford Alliance Church and Cranford Methodist Church this week.

"It appears like the burglar used a crowbar or something to force himself in," Wozniak said.

Although the confrontation at St. Michael wasn't violent, investigators fear the next one could be and are asking for the public's help in identifying the suspect, Sloan reported.

At Cranford Alliance Church's office, a burglar made off with a backpack and $360 -- money raised for a teacher and mother to twin girls.

"She's battling Stage 4 breast cancer," said Pastor Tom Rice, who added that the church will hold another event on Nov. 23 to raise money for the woman.

"We need to pray for the person or the people, whoever they may be," Rice said.

At United Methodist Church, a thief stole $50, pay that was supposed to go to a nursery school teacher.

"We don't keep much in the way of valuables in the office," Pastor Cameron Overbey said.

Police said the man on the video appears to be wearing a uniform, but Wozniak said they couldn't find any insignias or patches on it.

Sloan suggested it looks like a mailman's uniform, and Wozniak said, "It does, but we can't confirm whether or not it is, although it looks very close. We're not convinced it actually is."

The pastors CBS2 talked to said they would have gladly helped the suspect -- all he had to do was ask.

"I think it's horrible that anyone would want to go into any house of worship to want to take anything," said Dennis Jay, a parishioner at St. Michael.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Spencer Durkin at (908) 709-7346 or Detective Derek Farbanec (908) 709-7347.

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