Two Charged After Causing Damage to Church Property

(KNSI) — Two men have been charged after causing major damage to a church in Sauk Centre on Friday.

According to the criminal complaint, police were called to the unidentified church just after 1:00 on Saturday afternoon. They spoke to two people there who told them someone had come in and tipped over a large font statue, damaging it and the carpet underneath. A large candle holder worth an estimated $1,500 to $2,000 was also damaged when it was knocked over. Church officials said the candle holder was extremely heavy and needed significant force or strength to move. A cross was also moved and damaged, as were other items within the church. A red glass globe appeared to be missing.

Investigators viewed surveillance footage which reportedly showed two people who appeared to be intoxicated coming into the building, and one of them appeared to urinate on the statue in the front area of the church. Officers distributed still photos from the video to track down the two suspects.

The criminal complaint says 28-year-old Corey Allen Drouillard contacted police, saying he and his cousin, 19-year-old Cheyenne Marcus Budreau, were the ones in the video. Drouillard admitted to entering the church and causing damage but said he was so intoxicated he couldn’t remember what happened. Budreau reportedly did recall Drouillard carrying the glass globe and believed it was left somewhere in an alley.

Both have been charged with disorderly conduct and first-degree felony damage to property.

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