Man Arrested After Break-In to Local Bank

A man was arrested after a break-in to a local bank early Friday morning.

33-year-old Jerome Wagnon of Effingham was arrested after being found inside the Crossroads Bank location on North Keller Drive. An alarm at 3:50am resulted in Effingham City police officers heading to the bank. Officers found broken glass that had allowed Wagnon to get inside the building. Effingham Police Chief Jason McFarland said Wagnon had attempted to gain entry into the bank vault. When that effort was unsuccessful, McFarland said Wagnon began damaging items inside the bank and appeared to be trying to start a fire. Police directed Wagnon to come out of the bank building and he complied.

Wagnon was taken into custody on counts of arson, criminal damage to property in excess of $500, and burglary.