BOSTON — A suspect accused of breaking into St. Monica Church was arrested early this morning thanks to the keen senses of a police K-9 named Duke.
At approximately 3:44 a.m., officers from District C-6 arrested Steven Cyr, 61, of South Boston for the alleged break-in at 331 Old Colony Ave.
Officers were called to the scene by church security and found a broken window large enough for a person to enter the church, while other doors remained secured.
After establishing a perimeter, officers requested assistance from a K-9 unit.
Duke, the police dog, was brought in to conduct a protective sweep of the premises.
The K-9 alerted officers to the presence of someone in the church’s basement, where they subsequently located Cyr.
Initially, Cyr attempted to deceive officers by providing a false name, but his true identity was uncovered during the booking process.
Cyr has been charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime and furnishing a false name.
He is expected to be arraigned at South Boston District Court.
