JONESBORO, Ark. — A Jonesboro man is being held on a $50,000 cash or surety bond after allegedly burglarizing a local church, according to the Jonesboro Police Department.
Craighead County District Court Judge Tommy Fowler ruled Monday that there was probable cause to charge Haskel White with commercial burglary and theft of $1,000 or less from a building—a second offense. White is set to appear for arraignment in circuit court on Dec. 16.
The charges stem from an incident reported on the morning of Oct. 23 at Strawfloor Baptist Church, located at 1102 Strawfloor Drive. According to an affidavit prepared by Detective Dustin McKenzie, White forced entry into the church by pushing in a side window, causing an estimated $300 in damage.
While investigating, officers recovered religious ceremonial oil that White allegedly admitted to taking from the church. Additionally, a witness reported that a base station and sensor from the building’s SimpliSafe alarm system were missing.
“The witness observed [White] on camera footage with the base station in the foyer of the building, but he took an umbrella and blocked the camera,” Detective McKenzie stated in the affidavit. A subsequent search of the building did not locate the missing alarm system components, the report said.
Court records indicate that Judge Fowler noted White’s “very long history” of breaking and entering, theft, and failures to appear in court.
White remains held in the Craighead County Detention Center pending further court proceedings.