CASSOPOLIS — A pair of Cass County men learned a simple lesson the hard way Friday in Cass County Court — don’t break things that aren’t yours or you’ll pay the price.

That price was a year in jail for Dowagiac resident Chad Reschke, who broke into and ransacked a church in February. He will receive credit for 96 days already served.

Also appearing in court Friday for his sentencing was Brandon Bishop of Edwardsburg, who was sentenced to 90 days in jail for attempted breaking and entering and malicious destruction of property. Bishop, 20, was given credit for one day already served.

Reschke, 20, committed what Assistant Prosecutor Diab Rizk called a “heinous crime” when he drunkenly broke into Liberty Chapel Church in Dowagiac and damaged the ceiling, windows, tables and chairs. The church estimates he did $11,943 in damage.

“It’s hard to imagine what came over the defendant,” Rizk said.

Reschke was so drunk at the time that he doesn’t remember the night at all, which is why he pleaded no contest in April.

“You victimized not only the building but the entire church community,” Judge Michael Dodge told Reschke.

Reschke apologized to the court and admitted he is an alcoholic.

“Before my arrest, I was clean from alcohol and drugs for five months,” he said. “I just want to try to continue to pick of the pieces I call my life.”

Dodge said Reschke needs to get clean from alcohol to avoid more trouble in the future.

“You’re an alcoholic. It’s up to you to change,” Dodge said. “We can provide all the programs and structure in the world, but you have to have the courage to change.”

Reschke was ordered to pay the $11,943 in restitution.

Bishop’s offenses stemmed from an incident last November when he went to the home of a friend in Edwardsburg to collect money he had stolen from him. When the friend refused to repay him, Bishop damaged the door of the home and took the man’s cell phone and damaged it as well. The damage was estimated at $415, which Bishop was ordered to pay in restitution.

“You tried to take the law into your own hands,” Dodge told Bishop. “In attempt to recoup $200, you’ve racked up three convictions and $400 in damages.”