Caught On Tape: Thief Breaks Into Delaware County Church
By Diana Rocco
DARBY BOROUGH, Pa., (CBS) -- Caught on tape -- a thief breaks into a Delaware County church.
Police are taking a hard look at the surveillance video that captured the incident.
A Darby Borough church, the latest victim of a burglar police say has been preying on homes, churches, and even the town library.
"All burglaries were very similar in what was taken. Flat screen TV's, we believe some jewelry, things like that you can carry," Chief Rob Smythe of Darby Borough Police said.
Police say this man broke into the Christ Temple World Outreach Center just before 2 a.m. Saturday, grabbing a computer and audio equipment before triggering the alarm. He escaped before police arrived, but the video show him returning just over an hour later for more.
"He needs help and that's why we're here in this community to minister to people," Pastor Timothy Babatunde said.
The church pastor says he was on his way there after the first alarm went off and saw what he thinks was the suspect walking down the street with their stolen items, but didn't know until he checked the cameras. Video he has now turned over to police, who say they've had a dozen burglaries just in the last two weeks.
"We believe once we get him we are going to find out that he was responsible for these, and at least the church and the library," Smythe said.
Police now hope someone recognizes this coat, and as for the church and it's congregation, their doors are always open.
"Bad enough you're breaking in people's houses and stuff. People work hard for their stuff and the church is trying to grow. The church does a lot for the community," church member Kyle Sumpter said.
"If he comes tomorrow, we'll minister to him," the pastor said.
The thief is believed to have gotten away with thousands of dollars in stolen items. Anyone with information is asked to call police.
