Suspect arrested in string of church shed burglaries

Published: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at 7:19 p.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at 7:19 p.m.

Property crimes detectives with the Marion County Sheriff's Office have arrested a Silver Springs man in connection with burglaries at several church sheds.

Detectives picked up the suspect, Steven James Swanson, 42, on Sunday in the 8300 block of North U.S. 441, and the investigation carried over into Monday, according to the MCSO. In total, Swanson faces 12 charges, including burglary, grand theft, possession of burglary tools with the intent to use and dealing in stolen property.

Detectives said Swanson broke into at least five church sheds in various areas of Marion County, including Anthony, Citra, Orange Lake and McIntosh. They also are looking to see if he may be connected to at least four similar burglaries.

Swanson is wanted on two warrants from Levy County for church shed burglaries there.

Marion County sheriff's officials said Swanson told them he would sell the stolen items leaf blowers, riding and push lawnmowers, and weed trimmers to support his drug habit.

The burglaries began in December and continued through Sunday.

Deputies said Swanson burglarized Forest Evangelical Lutheran Church, at 1663 SE 183rd Ave. Road in Silver Springs on Sunday. From there he went to the nearby Winn-Dixie and to a real estate company, where he entered a trailer and where detectives caught him.

According to the Sheriff's Office, he told detectives that he burglarized the church shed and admitted to going into several other sheds on church properties. Detectives recovered burglary tools and items taken from other churches.

Local court records show Swanson has a conviction from 2011 for possession of drug paraphernalia.

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Suspect arrested in string of church shed burglaries