The Columbus Police Department has arrested one suspect and is looking for another in connection with the burglary of a local church.
Charles Lee Cunning, 40, of 186 McGee Road, was arrested Monday at 4:53 p.m. at 1501 Main St. and charged with last week’s burglary of Maranatha Faith Center.
Cunning is currently being held at the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center for a Mississippi Department of Corrections parole violation. His bond is $3,500 and he is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 6.
Police have also issued a warrant for Michael LaShay Butler in connection with the burglary. Butler is a black male, 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 155 pounds.
Workers repairing an air conditioner unit arrived at Maranatha, located at 716 Waterworks Road, last Tuesday morning and discovered someone had broken the back windows of the church and entered the building after being unable to kick down a side door, Rev. Steve Jamison said. Several interior doors were kicked in, and there was minimal damage to three church offices and the education center.
Two flat screen televisions and $100 cash were stolen. Jamison said he was not aware of Communion grape juice being stolen, as was initially stated by police department officials.
The church has not been burglarized in nearly two decades, Jamison said. During that incident, some computers were stolen, but they were later recovered.
“It always surprises you,” Jamison said. “It certainly leaves you wondering. We’re praying for the folks who did the break-in. We know they’re just misguided and need prayer. Certainly, we want justice done and for them to be punished for their crime, but we’re praying for them.”
Anyone with information about Butler’s whereabouts should contact CPD at 662-244-3500 or contact Golden Triangle Crimestoppers at 1-800-530-7131.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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