Man trashes Our Lady of the Lakes church

An article by Leslie Shepard    No Comments

Waterford police last week apprehended a suspect for his alleged role in vandalizing the chapel at Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes Church, located at 5481 Dixie Highway.

On Monday, Jan. 30 at 9:05 p.m., the suspect allegedly broke an altar candle and caused extensive damage to the chapel by discharging a fire extinguisher.

Officers identified the suspect as Norman Joseph Ochelski, a 31-year-old Royal Oak resident. Ochelski had reportedly been asked to leave a neighboring business several hours before the incident at Our Lady. He was located a short distance from the church and arrested without incident.

Ochelski was arraigned before 51st District Court Judge Jodi Debbrecht on one felony count of malicious destruction of property less than $20,000 and one misdemeanor count of malicious destruction of property less than $1,000.

He is currently being held on $100,000 cash surety bond on the felony charge and a $10,000 cash surety bond for the misdemeanor.