Police Investigate Edmond Church Burglaries

By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

EDMOND, Oklahoma -- Edmond police are investigating burglaries at two separate houses of worship in the city.

The crimes happened just a day apart.

One congregation didn't suffer too much of a loss, but another lost thousands of dollars in musical equipment. Police are now asking the public's help in hopes that the items will be returned to their rightful owners.

Members of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on East 33rd Street in Edmond learned of the theft when they arrived for Sunday services and found a door in the northwest corner of the building pried open.

"We started looking around, checking for what might be missing and saw in our entryway here some items had been stolen," Elder of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses David Hackney said.

The items were an oriental rug, candle sticks and hanging artwork.

It wasn't the only Edmond house of worship to be burglarized. One day later, Faith Bible Church was also hit. The congregation lost amplifiers, speakers, microphones and a projector, musical equipment worth an estimated $3,400.

"Anytime something like this happens to a church, it's very disheartening," said Edmond Police Spokesperson Glynda Chu. "It doesn't happen very often in Edmond and every time it does, you just wonder why, why would anybody do this?"

Police have no leads in this case and they don't believe it's connected this week's vandalism of the Villa Teresa Catholic in south Oklahoma City. But they do believe the burglaries were carefully planned.

"We really feel like perhaps they were watching both of these churches and knew when they would probably be empty and no one there," Chu said.

Hackney has asked for additional police patrols.

"Jesus said there'd be an increase in lawlessness in the last days and that's what we're seeing," Hackney said.

The minister for Faith Bible Church would not speak about the incident on camera because he says he doesn't want to draw additional attention to the theft.

Edmond police are asking anyone with any information on these burglaries to contact them anonymously.

And if you know anything, you can call Edmond Crimestoppers. That number is (405) 359-4466.