ST. LOUIS — Burglaries of a north St. Louis church spurred a sting operation by police that resulted in the arrest Friday of a man now facing a felony charge.

Court records show Marcus M. Allen, 46, faces a count of first-degree burglary, a class D felony, in a break in and attempted theft at Influence Church, located in the 3900 block of Clarence Avenue.

St. Louis Metropolitan Police said in charging documents that officers responded to the church Friday for reports of “multiple prior burglaries,” where donated items meant for tornado victims in North City were taken. The items included shoes, appliances and other items meant to assist tornado recovery efforts in the area.

In an effort to stop the “persistent burglaries,” officers stayed in the church overnight. While police were there

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