LIVONIA (WWJ) - A man suspected of breaking into metro Detroit churches around Christmas time is now in custody.
Livonia police say 42-year-old Anthony Lavin was caught after he was seen breaking into Bell Creek Church on 5 Mile Road. He's also a suspect in three other church burglaries in Livionia, along with multiple church robberies in other communities.
The robberies took place in late December and police say it was a Ring doorbell at one church that eventually led them to Lavin. The church, in Farmington Hills, captured a white Dodge Ram pickup on its doorbell camera following a break-in on the morning on Dec. 30.
Later that day, Farmington Hills police located the truck and followed it to Bell Creek Church in Livonia, where it's alleged that Lavin broke into the church by removing a screen and prying open a door before being scared off by a burglary alarm. Shortly after, police stopped the vehicle at Schoolcraft and Newburgh and Lavin was taken into custody.
Lavin was arraigned last Thursday on charges of breaking and entering, possession of burglar's tools and habitual offender -- fourth offense. Bond was set at $500,000. He's due back in court for a probable cause conference on Jan. 9.