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Jun 30, 2008 6:02 pm US/Central
Thieves Steal 3 A/C Units From Crowley Church
CROWLEY (CBS 11 News) ―
An increasing number of North Texas churches have become the target of copper thieves.
A recent theft at a Crowley church left worshippers in the heat this past Sunday. The Christian Faith Baptist Church now has two brand new air conditioning units and until they're properly secured the church pastor and his congregation are working to make sure they too aren't stolen.
Pastor Larry Pruitt is no stranger to crime. He spent 18 years as a Fort Worth police officer before leading the Christian Faith Baptist Church. "We've been here almost four years, never had a problem with nothing being stolen," he said.
That changed two weeks ago when thieves stole three of the churches five air conditioning units. "When I looked at the thermostats something didn't look right," Pruitt explained. The thefts cost the church more than $25,000.
The pastor says while the congregation didn't let the thefts interrupt services, he knew that 'a criminal will come back to the scene of the crime'. With that in mind, Pruitt and the congregation are now on watch.
The church now has members working guard duty, patrolling the grounds every night. Anthony Richards splits the night shift. "I had a little flashlight and my stick and I just walk the perimeter and walk all the way around."
Pastor Pruitt hopes those responsible for the thefts get help. "There ought to be some type of rehabilitation program that they go through to see just how much stress and pressure they put on a church by taking a few dollars worth of copper," he said.
In addition to steel cages that will soon surround the new air conditioning units, the church is installing new outdoor lighting and security cameras.
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