RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — Suffolk County Police arrested a 30-year-old man on Tuesday after he allegedly attempted to break into a Riverhead church while looking for food.
At around 12:50 p.m., Daniel Fanuele was reportedly seen trying to kick down the door of the church at the Presbyterian Church of the Moriches while preschool classes were in session.
He was confronted by an employee from Gentle Hearts Preschool, which is located inside the church, police said. Nineteen students and two staff members to shelter in place as a precaution until officers arrived.
Fanuele fled but was arrested at the intersection of Coventry Avenue and Mastic Road in Mastic less than two hours later and charged with attempted burglary and criminal mischief.
Upon his arrest, Fanuele allegedly told police he was looking for food when he targeted the building.
There is also a food pantry inside the church where volunteers hand out food on Monday nights. No injuries were reported during the incident.