The Florence County Sheriff's Office says Gabriel William Howard, 29, of Lake City, was arrested Monday on charges he broke into churches and stole a church van.
Investigators say Howard broke into Lee's Tabernacle Church and Camp Branch Pentecostal Holiness Church near Scranton as well as the Independent Methodist Church near Johnsonville where they say he stole the church van.
Investigators say Howard removed items from the churches, including a television and a safe. He is also alleged to have caused damage to one church estimated at more than $10,000.
Howard is charged with two counts of Malicious Injury to a Place of Worship, three counts of Burglary, 3rd Degree, and one count of Grand Larceny.
Bond for Howard was set at $20,000 (surety).
Howard is being held at the Williamsburg County Detention Center on charges in that county.
