LEXINGTON, S.C. – A Gilbert woman is accused of stealing items last month from four Lexington County churches.
Leslie Reese, 42, is charged with four counts of third-degree burglary and a single count of unlawful conduct toward a child, according to arrest warrants.
“After reviewing security cam footage at Gilbert United Methodist Church, property crimes investigators confirmed Reese broke into Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Gilbert United Methodist Church,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon stated. “The security cam footage showed Reese breaking a window to get into both churches and taking various items such as a cross, candles and Christmas ornaments.”
Reese also broke into Bethel United Methodist Church located on Peachtree Rock Road, according to Koon.
Koon said the unlawful conduct toward a child charge against Reese stems from her having her child with her during the church break-ins.
“Reese signed her child out of school and took the child with her to break into churches and take things,” Koon said. “A book bag containing a folder belonging to Reese’s child was found inside Samaria Baptist.”
Reese has been released from the Lexington County Detention Center after meeting conditions of her bond.