A Jackson man was charged Monday with unlawfully entering a church and damaging an ATM at Commerce Bank, both on Cape LaCroix Road.

Police officers arrived at First General Baptist Church, 1812 Cape LaCroix Road, just before 9 a.m. Monday to find a window broken out and Chance Breese, 19, hiding behind a couch.

"Inside, several drawers had been rummaged through and at least one set of keys had been taken," said Cpl. Adam Glueck, a spokesman for the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

After searching Breese, officers reportedly found he had a set of keys belonging to the church.

He's been charged with felony burglary and misdemeanor stealing.

At Commerce Bank, 1800 Cape LaCroix Road, Breese allegedly attempted to break into an ATM outside the building by prying on the door of the machine, Glueck said.

He's been charged with first-degree property damage in the ATM incident.

While Breese is facing charges only for those two incidents, investigators are looking into an attempted burglary that happened Sunday night at another church. The suspect or suspects never gained entry to First Pentecostal Church, 3054 Lexington Ave., but damaged a lock to a door.

"There are a number of unsolved church burglaries," Glueck said. "There may be more charges forthcoming, but so far those are the only charges."

Last week, Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church, 2826 Independence St., reported a filing cabinet damaged and money taken.

Breese pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor charges in 2009 including third-degree domestic assault, animal abuse, second-degree property damage and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

1812 Cape LaCroix Road, Cape Girardeau, MO

1800 Cape LaCroix Road, Cape Girardeau, MO

2826 Independence Street, Cape Girardeau, MO

118 Tree Lane, Jackson, MO