'They Stole The Church:' Thieves Hit Elk Grove Church, Women's Crisis Center
ELK GROVE (CBS13) — An Elk Grove church and women's crisis center was hit by thieves who took off with tens of thousands of dollars worth of their property.
It's a partnership forged to provide for the underserved that's been plundered.
"We give away diapers, wipes, food," said Inez Whitlow who runs Chicks in Crisis. "You don't need to steal from us; just ask us."
Thieves targeted the mobile church and women's center headquartered on old Elk Grove ranch land overnight. They cut the locks to the front gate, driving away with $50,000 in property, including an entire trailer.
"They stole the church," Answers Church Pastor Adam Butler said. "It's just gonna be, the people."
The church speakers and electronics are also gone.
"But really, the most important things would be probably for our kids," he said. "Even our children's curriculum was in there."
The thieves even took a rototiller the women's center uses for helping grow fresh vegetables for at-risk mothers and their babies.
"I wanted to have a garden so they could see how food grew, how do you can your own food, how do you make your own baby food," Whitlow said.
Elk Grove Police hope fingerprints can help lead to the arrest of whoever targeted these people here to help those most in need.
"My message to them is if you see this tonight, could you return our stuff we'd greatly appreciate it," Butler said.
The church is holding drive through hot dog lunch to help replace some of the property that was stolen. The fundraiser will be held on Sunday from 1-3 p.m. at the Chicks in Crisis Ranch. The address is 9422 E. Stockton Boulevard, Elk Grove.
