Breaking into a House of Worship Never a Good Idea

At about 3:07am, on Friday, February 1, 2013, officers from District E-13 (Jamaica Plain) responded to a call for a breaking and entering in progress at 95 South Street (St. Aquinas Church). While en route to the call, officers learned that a suspect was seen entering the church through a basement window. On arrival, officers observed a broken window on the basement level, a shovel on the ground near the window and interior lights on inside the church. Officers on scene requested the assistance of the Boston Police K-9 Unit. Upon entering the church, the K-9 officer and his dog (Nico) were able to locate a white male suspect.

Officers arrested Joe Maloof, 31, of Arlington and charged him with Breaking & Entering (Night) and Possession of Class Drugs (heroin).

A search of the suspect enabled officers to see and seize two small plastic bags containing a brownish-white powdered substance believed to be heroin.