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Four Lapeer County churches have been recently broken into; cash, checks and property were stolen. The bandit targeted the Attica First Baptist Church in Attica Township, the Columbiaville Untied Methodist Church in Columbiaville, the Deerfield Church of Christ and the Country Christian Church, both in Deerfield Township.

"It's possible that the same suspect is responsible for all four break-ins," said Lapeer County Sheriff's Lt. Gary Parks.

A pastor stumbled upon a culprit still inside the Attica First Baptist Church, on Imlay City Road, late night Saturday. The church leader returned after being gone for a couple hours and noticed his office window open. He heard something slide across the floor, such as a chair. The minister walked in and found a man at his desk. The man had his head down and appeared to be snoozing.

The pastor woke the man, who seemed confused and asked where he was. The intruder said he was going to vomit, and the pastor showed him to the bathroom. But the suspect ran past the lavatory door and out the side door of the church. The cleric gave chase, but lost him in a swampy area towards Attica, reported Lapeer County Sheriff's deputy Steven Hinsberger and deputy Dave Winstead.

The suspect gained entry to that church through a window. He pried into a file cabinet and stole cash; police aren't releasing the amount.

A thief crawled through a window of the Country Christian Church, on M-24, late night Saturday or early morning Sunday.

"They took a large amount of cash and checks from a safe," said Lapeer County Sheriff's D/Sgt. Jeremy Herfert. "The checks were already stamped ëfor deposit only,' but we put out the word to area banks, just in case. We also advised the church to contact parishioners to cancel their checks."

A culprit broke into the Deerfield Church of Christ, on Norway Lake Road, sometime during the day on Sunday, reported Lapeer County Sheriff's Sgt. Jason Parks.

"The suspect tried to enter the office but was unsuccessful," said Lt. Gary Parks. "A VCR was stolen."

An intruder was inside the Columbiaville United Methodist Church, on Pine Street, early morning Thursday, but nothing was taken. The pastor found the office door handle pulled off and laying on the floor, reported Lapeer County Sheriff's deputy Jerry Gwyn.

The suspect spotted inside the Attica First Baptist Church is described as a white male with black hair. He wore black jeans, a black jacket and a black baseball hat. Anyone with information is asked to phone Lt. Gary Parks at 245-1382.

Susan Younger may be reached at (810)664-0811, ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com