A Marietta man faces several felonies after being accused of breaking into three churches and two homes to steal copper wiring and other items, authorities said.
Michael David Cawley, 61, is accused of a two-week crime spree in Cobb County, netting himself seven charges, according to arrest warrants. Among his alleged targets include Faith Lutheran School, First Korean Church and the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection.
The first incident he’s been tied to was a break-in at Faith Lutheran Church on April 18, according to the warrants. He allegedly stole copper wire from the building’s refrigeration and freezer units, causing about $25,000 worth of damages.
Days after the theft, Cawley sold more than 50 pounds of scrap copper and other metals to pawn shops, the warrants said.
Between April 21 and 15, he broke into a home off Yancy Drive, where he stripped copper from the inside of the house, according to the warrants. Cawley also allegedly took about $2,600 worth of other items, including a stainless steel grill, two metal dog crates, a metal fire pit and a tiki torch.
Between April 25 and 27, he stole copper from two air conditioning units at First Korean Church, causing more than $1,500 worth of damage, the warrants said. Also on April 27, he’s accused of shattering a window to break into a home off Sewell Mill Road, leaving a cellphone at the scene.
The last incident took place between April 29 and May 5, which is when Cawley broke into the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, the warrants said. He’s accused of causing more than $10,000 worth of damage by stealing the copper piping from seven air conditioning units.
Marietta police arrested Cawley last Friday in the 300 block of Marble Hill Road, according to jail records. After being read his Miranda rights, he admitted to officers that he committed the Luther Church of the Resurrection and First Korean Church thefts, according to warrants.
In total, he faces four counts of theft by taking, two counts of first-degree burglary and one count of criminal trespass, jail records show. Cawley remains in custody without bond.
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