Winston-Salem Man Arrested and Charged In Church Break-In: Police

STATESVILLE, NC — A 65-year-old Winston-Salem man has been charged in connection with a break-in at a local church on Monday in which the man stole materials from the church before being found a short distance away, police said Tuesday.

Jerry Lee Crews was charged with felony breaking and entering at a house of worship and felony larceny, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office said. Crews was located after police said that he broke into Providence Methodist Church at 1273 Old Mocksville Rd. just north of Statesville.

Police arrived at the church and found that the door to the church office was not closed. While searching for suspects, deputies found several pieces of mail on the floor. Crews was then found a short distance from the church and mentioned the church when he was asked by deputies why he was in the area, police said.

Deputies noticed a Bible and some pieces of mail near Crews as they questioned him. The person who reported the break-in confirmed the mail and the Bible belonged to the church and Crews was arrested, police said.

A judge ordered a $5,000 secured bond for Crews, who has a long criminal history involving a variety of crimes, including trespassing, larceny, drug possession and other offenses, the sheriff’s office said.