Deputies charge 2 in string of Union Co. church break-ins

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Deputies said Tuesday they caught a pair of thieves accused of breaking into churches across Union County.

One of the suspects has a long criminal history including assaulting an officer and stealing from houses of worship.

It was a few days before Christmas when Rev. Marty Griffin noticed intruders had forced their way inside New Hope Baptist Church.

"I noticed my file cabinet had been broken into," he said.

Griffin said the thieves stole two TVs and a laptop and left behind damage from the screw drivers they used to pry open the church's doors.

"What I was thinking someone needed money really bad and they thought the way to get it was to steal it and that's not the way, we both know that," Griffin said.

David Simpson, 65 and Ashley Flowers, 29, were arrested Tuesday for the crimes.

"I haven't seen those individuals before but we have prayed for them," Griffin said.

Officers said the pair hit five small churches in quiet communities from Monroe to Marshville during the last week of December.

Investigators reported that Simpson has done this before. He was convicted of assaulting a police officer during a 2007 traffic stop where he was in possession of items stolen from area churches.

This time officers connected the suspects to electronics from the churches found at pawn shops in Charlotte.

"Don't mess with God's house, just don't do that," said Derry Simpson, a retired deputy who lives near two of the affected churches.

Neighbors and churchgoers are relieved they're in custody.

"Pitiful. They may think they'll get away with it but the good Lord above knows better than that," Simpson said.

Griffin said the New Hope congregation replaced the TVs and prayed for the thieves.

"The whole church stood up and said we're going to move forward from this and we have forgiven the perpetrators that did that."

Both suspects are due in court Feb. 2.

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