Man charged with burglarizing Aurora churches

(AURORA) A man has been charged with burglarizing two churches in west suburban Aurora.

Terry Ayala, 48, was charged with burglary to a place of worship and unlawful use of a credit card, both felonies, according to a statement from the Aurora Police Department.

Numerous metal pieces used during regular and holiday Masses were stolen from a church in the 700 block of North High Street in Aurora on Dec. 13 and again on Dec. 26, police said.

The stolen items were recovered from a nearby recycling center in the 600 block of North Broadway Avenue, police said.

Ayala, of the 600 block of Woodlawn Avenue in Aurora, was taken into police custody on Dec. 26 near the recycling center, police said. He was wanted on an outstanding warrant for obstructing identification.

Investigators also linked Ayala to a Sept. 21 burglary at a church in the 500 block of South Fourth Street, police said. In that incident, cash and an ATM card were stolen, and funds from the church’s account were illegally withdrawn.

Ayala is being held at the Kane County Justice Center on a $105,750 bond, police said.