Thieves Take Funds For Anti-Hunger Drive

What was supposed to be a day of renewed hope at Christ Lutheran Church turned into another bummer last week.

Someone broke into the church at 13009 E. Broadway late Jan. 25 or early Jan. 26 and stole an undisclosed amount of money parishioners had collected for an anti-hunger drive.

It was the second burglary at the church since November, when a thief made off with the church computer, a television and VCR.

The latest break-in happened just hours after church officials received a computer meant to replace the one stolen in November.

Dale Damron donated a used Macintosh computer and printer to the church after he heard about the November theft.

To have his church burglarized the same day Damron made his donation left Rev. Tom Shelly shaking his head.

“Churches survive on charity and the contributions of the people like the man who came by,” Shelly said. “But we’re reaching a time when the number of people like him is lagging behind the number of dishonest people.”

Shelly’s church wasn’t the only one burglarized last week.

Officials at the Redeemer Lutheran Church at 3606 S. Schafer also reported a break-in that occurred either late Jan. 25 or early Jan. 26.

Parrish administrator Mary Mueller was reluctant to talk about the break-in or what was taken.

Mueller said she didn’t want to tip off potential thieves about what may be in the church.

“You can get hit again,” she said. “And we’re just not in a position right now where we can welcome other intruders.”

The Valley has suffered a rash of church burglaries recently. At least four churches have been hit by burglars since November.

Most of the break-ins have been committed the same way - thieves smash windows or kick in doors and take expensive office equipment and electronics.

Sheriff’s deputies think the burglaries are related but have no leads right now.

Shelly said the burglaries reflect the decay of morals in our society and show how desperate some people have become.

“People break in and they’re interested in things that sell fast or cash,” said Shelly, adding that he’s going to have a burglar alarm installed at his church. “They have no respect for church property.”

He also had a few sharp words for local authorities.

“This isn’t going to stop until the sheriff gets his act together and catches the guy,” he said.

, DataTimes