CENTERVILLE – The Barnstable Police Department received a complaint regarding monies that were missing from the Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville. During the investigation, officers determined that last Saturday evening, (May 23rd), a suspect gained access to the church through locked doors and once inside the church gained access to the locked room where some money had been secured for the evening. The suspect then gained entry to the secure locked depository and stole some of the church offering envelopes.
On this Saturday (May 30th), Officer Anson Moore was assigned to conduct surveillance inside the church in the event that the suspect returned. At approximately 8:15 p.m., Officer Moore observed a subject, later identified as Steven Carpenter, enter through the main doors of the church and head directly to the locked office where the money is stored. Carpenter gained access to the locked office and closed the door behind him, at which point, Officer Moore followed the suspect and opened the office door. Carpenter slammed the door closed and ran out of a different door leading from the office to the main area of the church. Officer Moore pursued Carpenter and advised him that he was under arrest, at which time Carpenter charged at Officer Moore and pushed him. Officer Moore grabbed onto Carpenter and Carpenter continued to be combative. Carpenter then slipped out of his shirt and sweatshirt and ran out of the side door of the church, at which point Officer Moore caught up with Carpenter. Again Carpenter became extremely combative and fought with Officer Moore. Officer Brendan Burchell was also in the area and he and Officer Moore were able to overcome Carpenter’s combative behavior and take Carpenter into custody.
As a result of this incident, Steven Carpenter will be charged with the following;
B&E Nighttime, B&E to a Depository, Possession of Burglarious Tools, and Assault and Battery on a Police Officer (two counts)
Media release furnished by Barnstable Police
