Woman arrested for burglarizing church

COLONIE -- Colonie Police say they've arrested a woman in connection with a Sept. 5th church burglary, and that the woman has a history of scamming local churches.

Police say 32-year-old Consuelo Leonard of Walkill stole a personal check from inside the Good Shephed Lutheran Church at 510 Albany Shaker Road and cashed it in Rensselaer County.

She's been charged with felony third-degree burglary and misdemeanor petit larceny. 

According to Colonie Police Lt. Robert Winn, Leonard presents herself to local churches as someone in need of shelter, money, food and medical treatment, and then uses access to the church to steal items from the church.

In many of the cases, Leonard's crimes were unreported or the victims were unaware they were victims, said Lt. Winn.

Leonard is also known to travel with a man believed to be her boyfriend but there are currently no charges pending against him. 

Leonard has gone by other names including Consuelo Monroe, Tawanna Monroe, Tawanna Leonard, Denise Monroe, Denise Leonard, Nicole Monroe, Nicole Leonard.

Colonie Police asks anyone who recognizes Leonard or possible theft to contact their local police agency.