A Mapleton man is accused of burglarizing and damaging a church in the nude.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Blue Earth County Court on Monday, 37 year old John Milton Baer was allegedly inside the church when a witness discovered him ringing the bell naked.
Mapleton Police and Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the burglary report on July 4th, just before 9am. When they arrived on the scene, Baer was struggling with a family member who had arrived after receiving a call about the situation, according to the complaint.
Police say the church door appeared to have been struck twice and witnesses later said they’d seen Baer throwing rocks at the door. Glass was broken out of a window and a gallon of paint had been knocked over and spilled on the carpet and cement floor.
Baer is also accused of breaking into a nearby apartment. He is charged with 2nd degree burglary and 1st degree damage to property, both felonies. He’s been summoned to appear in Blue Earth County Court.