by Brent Frazier
LAWRENCEBURG, Tenn. - Sheriff's investigators in at least three neighboring counties are looking into a total of 23 church burglaries, and attempted burglaries, most of which are believed to be at the hands of the same offenders.
"Taking from a church is probably one of the lowest levels of crimes, in my book, that you can actually commit," said Detective Shane Hunter, an investigator with the Giles County Sheriff's Department.
Giles County investigators are looking into a total of 10 church burglaries: nine in the county, one in the city limits of Pulaski. Ironically, according to Hunter, the latest incident there happened the first weekend in June at the church where the sheriff worships each Sunday.
Hunter and other detectives said the suspects' description and approach, on paper anyway, often lead investigators to believe it's the same person or persons responsible.
For instance, the sanctuary predators often: strike after a heavily attended church service, at a time when the church offering coffers are full; prey upon rural churches that do not have security alarm systems, and will not see a staffer again for at least a few days; gain entry into a church by kicking-in a church window or door.
If money isn't what the intruders get with their initial entry, high-dollar electrical equipment, like cameras, microphones, projectors and laptop computers, are usually an immediate second choice. Those items can be pawned, or sold, for money.
"There's a possibility that they're probably from out of county, possibly one of the surrounding counties, or possibly even from Alabama," Shane Hunter told NewsChannel 5.
Maury County is investigating one church burglary.
Lawrence County has many more on the radar, a total of 12 in fact, that date back a full year.
Crooks in Lawrenceburg struck at the Flatwoods Free Will Baptist Church, on South Park Grove Road, according to a police report. The thieves made off with a most unusual stash: hot dogs, hot dog buns, Coca-Cola for drinking, and some paper towels.
Just down the road in Summertown, the Panoramic Full Gospel Church on Highway 20 also was targeted roughly 8 months ago. The suspects got away with roughly $9,000 in fancy audio and video equipment.
But if there's one thing the members of the Panoramic church have learned it's that during this day and age, even God needs an extra set of eyes. The congregation approved the installation of a brand-new security alarm system.
Hunter said many churches are following suit, and also installing surveillance cameras, even some with audio, inside and outside the church's main building.
Email: bfrazier@newschannel5.com
