Truesee's Daily Wonder

An Ames man was arrested for second-degree burglary after allegedly entering the First Christian Church while it was closed and using electronic equipment at the church to watch pornography in the church’s basement.

 Charles E. Bentley, 55, of 828 Grand Ave., No. 2, is being held at the Story County Jail on a $10,000 bond following his arrest Friday.

 Police say Bentley broke into the Clark Avenue church, which is across the street from the police station, gathered items from around the church and went to the basement,  where he may have spent Thursday night.

 Bentley was found in the church just before 7 a.m. Friday, when employees of the Ames Community Preschool showed up for work. Cmdr. Mike Brennan of the Ames Police Department said ACPC has used the church as its main center for many years.

 Authorities were summoned when staff members entered and found several items missing from the upper floors of the church. Brennan said they also heard noises coming from the basement.

 When police arrived, they found Bentley hauling a garbage can containing food, kitchen utensils, clothes, electronic equipment and a 26-inch flat-screen television, all of which belonged to the church.

 Police believe Bentley used the electronic equipment to watch pornographic movies that were found on him when he was arrested, as well as using other items from the church to set up a camp in the basement.

 “He kind of made himself at home,” Brennan said.

 More items, along with Bentley’s Social Security card and Iowa driver’s license were found in the basement.