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Columbia Missourian

Man sentenced to 15 years for burglarizing churches, setting fire to one

By The Associated Press
August 19, 2008 | 3:41 p.m. CDT

ST. LOUIS — A St. Louis man is sentenced to 15 years in prison for burglarizing several churches and setting fire to one.

The sentence was handed down Monday for 40-year-old Frank Allen Zdanowski. He had earlier pleaded guilty to 23 charges.

In the arson case, authorities say Zdanowski set fire inside the offices of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, causing $500,000 in damage. Investigators say the fire was set to cover up the burglary.

Zdanowski is already serving a nine-year term for similar crimes in St. Louis County. Authorities say he is a career criminal who targeted churches at night, stealing to finance his addiction to drugs.