Colonie Police: Man with history of church break-ins breaks into church, steals cash

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Robert W. Hoag

COLONIE – An Albany man with a history of breaking into churches has been arrested again, accused of breaking into a church, police said Thursday.

Robert W. Hoag, 74, most recently of the Ramada Inn, was arrested Monday on one count each of third-degree burglary and fourth-degree grand larceny, felonies.

Hoag is accused of breaking into the Victory Church, 1 Van Buren Ave., Colonie, Sunday and taking more than $1,600 in cash, police said.

Police received the call Monday afternoon, just after 1 p.m. The responding officer, John Bushey, then found Hoag walking on Central Avenue, by Ahl Avenue. Hoag was found with the stolen Money and was wearing or still in possession of clothing worn during the crime, police said.

Hoag has a criminal history that dates back to 1979, including similar church burglaries from Albany in 2017 and 2018, police said.

Hoag was arraigned and ordered held.

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