Thieves target St. Pete churches

By admin at 16 July, 2009, 4:35 pm



They are houses of worship that St. Petersburg Police say have turned into crime scenes. Five churches have been broken in to in St. Pete since June 25th. The first was the 5th Avenue Baptist Church. “It’s sad, it is a violation,” said the church business manager Connie Gregg. Investigators say someone threw brick or rock into a plate glass door. Once inside, the burglar attempted to steal three flat screen TVs. The attempt failed, but the burglar did not give up. “We’re dealing with five church burglaries in just 18 days eight for this year,” said Bill Proffitt, spokesman for the St. Petersburg Police Department.

An arrest warrant has been issued for 44-year-old Robert Earl Warren. Police say he is linked to the burglary of the Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church on July 11th. From there, investigators say Warren may have broken into up to seven other churches dating back to March. “There is a similar pattern,” Profitt said. “The same area of the city, the west and south west areas, the same items have been taken, cash and small electronics.” Police say Warren has been arrested at least twice in St. Petersurg for commercial burglary.  

View original here:
Thieves target St. Pete churches

Categories : Tampa




No comments yet.

Leave a comment