Investigators: Union County church break-ins connected

UNION COUNTY — Investigators said seven church break-ins in Union County are connected.

Members of Hillcrest Baptist Church found the damage Wednesday.

"This is one of the screens that was cut," Casey Helms, chairman the church’s board of trustees, said.

Someone went through the halls and kicked open an office door then stole $30 in coins.

"I was very disturbed,” Helms said. “I mean a church is the place we come to worship. It's a place of love."

In most cases, the burglars threw a rock or something heavy through a window.

Church break-ins:

• Houston Baptist Church - 4405 Waxhaw Highway, Monroe
• Antioch Baptist Church - 6223 Love Mill Road, Monroe
• Bethany Baptist Church - 4301 Beulah Church Road, Weddington
• Macedonia Baptist Church - 610 Macedonia Church Road, Monroe
• Sandy Ridge Baptist Church - 1100 W. Sandy Ridge Road, Monroe
• Calvary Baptist Church - 2815 Lancaster Highway, Monroe
• Hillcrest Baptist Church - 4123 Hillcrest Church Road, Unionville

They didn't take expensive electronics, but took money or found nothing to steal.

Union County investigators said two recent church break-ins in Locust in Stanly County may also be connected.

"It's just a sad time of the world we live in," Helms said. "It used to be, you didn't even have to keep your churches locked."

Helms said it is a violation of a sacred place, but his faith leads him to respond with mercy.

“All we have is love for these people,” Helms said. “There is no hard feelings no grudges. We are a church of love."

Union County investigators said church officials need to get security systems or keep a constant presence around their churches until the thieves are caught.

Cox Media Group