Jo Daviess County Man Steals Money From Church

A man faces three felony charges after authorities said he broke into a Jo Daviess County church and stole money. 56 year old John Cook Jr. of Lacon is charged in Jo Daviess County Circuit Court with burglary, possession of burglary tools and criminal damage to property. His next court hearing is set for March 10th. Sheriff’s department deputies responded to St. Mary’s Church in Elizabeth on January 27th after receiving a report of a man who drove past the church multiples times, then parked, checked all the church doors and entered the church. Deputies eventually located Cook near his vehicle and reported that he had multiple $1 bills in his pockets, a ring of keys in his pocket, plus some tools used for a burglary. The church’s pastor reported forced entry into the church as well as into the burning votive candle display lockbox, with the money inside missing.