Longmont Police Investigate Series Of Church Break-Ins
LONGMONT, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Longmont are investigating a series of church break-ins. Six churches have been burglarized in just one week and thousands of dollars in cash have been stolen.
The break-ins started April 18 and the latest happened Monday.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church is one of the six churches hit. The church's 300 pound safe and about $200 were stolen.
"They just jimmied all the doors in the office. They must have popped open pretty easy," Pastor Mark Peterson with Bethlehem Lutheran Church said. "Somebody took the safe, hauled it somewhere."
The pastor thinks the thief or thieves cleaned up after with the vacuum because there wasn't a mess. Still, he's praying for whoever is responsible.
"We're praying for you. If you're that desperate to rob from us, I hope it's because you're in need. We'll pray for you," Peterson said.
St. John The Baptist Catholic Church was burglarized twice.
"They're mainly going into the office areas trying to find cash," Detective Joel Post with Longmont police said. "In some places they've taken gift cards."
"It's always upsetting when people rob churches. They're holy places," Peterson said. "To rob a church just feels like an extra violation."
Police say they don't have any official suspects but are looking through surveillance video from one church. They say they believe it is the work of several people.
