Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III announced that 45 year old John Bish of 100 East Tupper Street, Buffalo, pleaded guilty this morning to the entire indictment charging two counts of Burglary in the Third Degree and one count of False Personation before Supreme Court Justice Christopher J. Burns.  These are the highest charges for which defendant could have bene convicted had he gone to trial.  Both burglaries involved churches.

Bish admitted that on November 29, 2011 he entered Center Road Baptist Church in West Seneca and stole computer equipment from the Pastor’s office and items from a missionary closet.  Further, Bish admitted that he provided West Seneca Police with a false name in an attempt to deceive Officers about his identity when he was questioned concerning the burglary.

Bish also admitted that on Sunday, March 11, 2012 he secreted himself in Cazenovia Baptist Church during church services and later emerged to steal items from the Church’s office.  Bish was found hiding in an office by a staff member who was securing the church for the day after masses.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 6, 2013, at 9:30 am before Hon. Christopher J. Burns when Bish faces a maximum prison sentence of 8-14 years as a second felony offender.  The case was successfully prosecuted by ADA Patrick Shanahan.