Two South Boston churches broken into, one by men in search of copper wiring, police say

Boston Police report arresting two men they say broke into the former St. Vincent Church on E Street last night in search of copper wiring and a man who broke into St. Monica Church on Old Colony Avenue early this morning.

Police say officers responding to a 911 call about St. Vincent around 11:50 p.m. on Wednesday found Michael Donovan, 37, and Brendan Delaney, 50, both of South Boston, just leaving:

As officers were preparing to make entry the suspects exited the building from the side door and were immediately detained. Upon further investigation it was revealed that both suspects had broken into the church to steal copper wire. The officers located the suspects bags they had entered the church with and it contained hand tools and numerous pieces of copper wire obtained from the building.

Both were charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime and possession of burglarious tools, police say.

Around 3:40 this morning, officers responded to a report of a breaking and entering at St. Monica, which is still in use:

Upon arrival the officers observed a broken window large enough to fit a person through. The other doors to the building were secured, the officers requested a K-9 officer and took a perimeter around the building. Upon making entry and conducting a protective sweep Duke the K9 alerted to the presence of a person in the basement, shortly after the Duke and officers located the suspect in the basement of the building. The suspect was detained and originally gave officers a false name, his true name was learned during the booking process.

Steven Cyr, 61, of South Boston, was charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime and furnishing a false name to police.

Innocent, etc.