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Burglar vandalizes Boston church, steals sound system

BOSTON — A burglar is accused of vandalizing a church in Boston and stealing a sound system.

The theft at St. Anthony's Shrine happened between 4 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Friday. Police say 33-year-old Erik Swanson has been charged with larceny over $250 and breaking and entering at nighttime.

Swanson allegedly stole a sound amplifier, keys and a metal incense dispenser. He is also accused of tearing an electronic giving station off the wall.


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On Sunday morning, Boston officers had been patrolling the area when they saw someone matching Swanson's description. The man was even wearing the same clothes seen in the surveillance photos from the crime. When police searched the man, they found several of the missing items from the church.

According to the Boston Herald, Swanson is homeless. Many people at the church said they would have helped him anyway if they had known he was in need.