Police are searching for a man who forced his way into a church in Maryland

CHEVY CHASE, Md. – Montgomery County Police are investigating a church burglary in Chevy Chase on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

That day, officers responded to a call around 11 a.m. that prompted an inspection of the property. According to police, the break-in occurred at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 5400 block of Western Avenue.

Authorities say the suspect broke into the church and “cut copper pipes.”

Investigators have released a photo of the male suspect and are asking the community to provide relevant information to identify him:

At some point, the suspect reportedly encountered a group of construction workers who were renovating various areas of the church. According to police, someone from the construction crew filmed the suspect leaving the scene with “stolen property.”

At the scene, police found items that served as evidence and used cell phone footage to gain access to the suspect’s photo.

Currently, the suspect is described as a man in his 50s with a trimmed beard and medium build, wearing a white construction hard hat, a reflective yellow-orange vest, a purple T-shirt, gray gloves and a black backpack.

Anyone who knows or has seen the suspect is asked to contact the Montgomery County, Maryland, Criminal Investigation Division: www.crimesolversmcmd.org and click www.p3tips.com link at top of page or call 1-866-411-8477. Police are also welcome to contact anyone with information that leads to an arrest. Tips are anonymous and can be rewarded with a reward ranging from $250 to $10,000.

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