A Gages Lake man was arrested on Thursday after detectives witnessed him break into a church in Third Lake where he allegedly stole from a donation box.
David Uzelac, 27, of the 33600 block of North Evergreen Drive in Gages Lake, was charged with burglary, violation of bail bond, theft, criminal trespass to a building and driving on a revoked license.
Lake County sheriff’s detectives were conducting surveillance on Thursday at a possible drug-dealing location in Gages Lake, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Christopher Covelli.
During the surveillance, detectives took note of Uzelac at the location.
Detectives followed Uzelac as he drove from Gages Lake to the New Gracanica Serbian Monastery, located at 35240 North Grant Avenue in Third Lake.
Detectives observed Uzelac enter the church, which he was not allowed to be at due to a previous theft in September 2019 and an attempted burglary in January 2021, Covelli said.
Uzelac exited the church a short time later and drove away.
Lake County sheriff’s deputies responded to the church to speak with those who oversee it while detectives continued to follow Uzelac.
Deputies determined that Uzelac stole from a donation box inside the church when he went inside.
Detectives took Uzelac into custody in the area of Georgetown Lane and Williamsburg Drive in Waukegan, Covelli said.
The man remains held in the Lake County Jail on a $200,000 bond, meaning he would need to post $20,000 cash in order to be released.
A court hearing is scheduled for September 1.