Man charged in church poor box robberies

A man who broke a glass door to a chapel and robbed three donation boxes has been charged in the thefts, police said.

Mark Spruill, 43, of Amityville, was caught by Bureau of Special Operations officers Tuesday night and charged with three counts of third-degree burglary and possession of burglar tools, police said.

He was awaiting arraignment in First District Court in Hempstead.

Police said the burglaries at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Massapequa were Nov. 18, Dec. 5 and Jan. 31. Police said that in addition to robbing the poor boxes, Spruill also broke dedication prayer candles.