A burglar wearing a “Batman” mask has hit an Irondale church twice over the past month and is suspected in break-ins in multiple states in which mostly musical instruments were stolen.

The first burglary in Irondale happened Dec. 11, 2019 at King’s Way Church in the 4400 block of Crescent Road. A keyboard and a guitar were stolen.

The second incident happened Jan. 6. In that break-in, two guitars were taken. The church has stepped up security in the wake of the crimes.

Both times, said Irondale Det. Sgt. Michael Mangina, the suspect gained entry to the church using a rock, causing substantial damage. Police said the intruder appears to be a black male with a large build. He is wearing the Batman mask and drives a light-colored Hyundai.

On the night of January 9, 2020 two churches within the city limits of Jasper and one in the county were burglarized. Musical instruments and other electronics were stolen. The pictures and video below show the culprit responsible for these crimes. If you have any information that would aid detectives in apprehending this individual, contact the Jasper Police department at 205-221-2121, Walker County Sheriff at 205-302-6464, or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Posted by Jasper Police Department on Friday, January 10, 2020

Mangina said a suspect matching the same description with the same MO hit two churches in Jasper, as well as churches in Shelby County, Walker county, Atlanta and Tennessee.

The church burglaries in Jasper happened Jan. 9. A third happened in unincorporated Walker County.

On the night of January 9, 2020 two churches within the city limits of Jasper and one in the county were burglarized. Again, musical instruments and electronics were stolen.

Mangina said the burglar is wreaking havoc on churches. “We have to take this bad guy off the streets,’’ he said. “Stealing from a church is not the way to get to Heaven.”

Anyone with information is asked to Irondale police, Jasper police or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.