Ricky Fredrick Madewell, 39, is facing felony charges in Jefferson County and St. Louis County in connection with alleged burglaries at an Arnold Church and a Eureka Church, according to court records.
On Feb. 19, Madewell, who has addresses in Pacific and Alton, Ill., allegedly broke a door handle at First Baptist Church of Arnold, 2012 Missouri State Road, and entered the building. The damage to the door was estimated at $150, a probable-cause statement said.
Madewell allegedly was confronted by a janitor at First Baptist and was told to leave. Madwell fled from the church before Arnold Police arrived, but he was found hiding in a shed at the Lowe’s store in the Arnold Commons complex, the report said.
On Feb. 16, Madewell allegedly forced his way into Most Sacred Heart Church, 350 E. Fourth St., in Eureka, and he reportedly was seen on surveillance footage carrying at least one bag and walking past an image of Jesus inside the church, the probable-cause statement said.
Madewell allegedly damaged a stained-glass window and handles on four doors at Most Sacred Heart, causing more than $750 in damage, according to court records.
On March 2, Madewell was charged with first-degree burglary, a class B felony, in Jefferson County and with second-degree burglary, a class D felony, and first-degree property damage, a class E felony, in St. Louis County. As of Monday (March 5), he was still being held in the St. Louis County Jail on a $100,000 cash-only bond, a spokeswoman said.
The class B felony is punishable by five to 15 years in prison, the class D felony carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison, and the class E felony is punishable by a maximum four years in prison.
Arnold Police believe Madewell could be involved in another church burglary.
At 11:40 a.m. Feb. 25, police were called to People’s Church, 1770 Missouri State Road, in Arnold, after someone forced entry into the building through a kitchen window. Other doors and locks were damaged, and the total damage was estimated at $360, Arnold Police reported.
As of Monday, however, Madewell had not been arrested in connection with that case, Detective Lt. James Jones said.