Police say around 8:40 a.m. someone broke into the Saint James Episcopal Church in the unit block of South Augustine Street in Newport.
A church receptionist says an air conditioner was forced in and the office door was kicked open.
The thief or thieves damaged the air conditioner and the office door.
Police say they rummaged through the office and attempted to get into a small lockbox without success.
According to officials, they stole food kept at the church to feed the homeless and appear to have made sandwiches and ate while in the church.
Newport Police Chief Michael Capriglione says he believes the suspects are probably homeless people and that there was more than one person judging from the amount of food that was eaten.
He says there have been a few other break-ins, in vacant homes and buildings in Newport by homeless people looking for food and shelter.
