Man charged as St. Anthony's Shrine burglar

Boston Police report arresting Erik Swanson, 33, on charges he broke into the Shrine of St. Anthony on Friday and stole several items.

Police say officers on patrol downtown yesterday morning spotted Swanson, 33 and homeless, wearing the same outfit as the man in surveillance video taken by the shrine - and that Swanson had some of the missing items on him.

Swanson, who is homelss, is scheduled for arraignment today on charges of larceny over $250, vandalism and breaking and entering in the nighttime, police say.

WCVB reports that the head of the shrine, the Rev. Thomas Conway, is willing to forgive Swanson and says that the break-in may have been a cry for help.

Innocent, etc.