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Deputies in Newberry County are asking for the community’s assistance in solving a string of burglaries to area churches.

Investigators say that forced entry was seen in all of the churches except one and that the method of entry is consistent with all the burglaries.

According to authorities:

• On June 26th, investigators responded to Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church on Mt. Tabor Road. The church had been gone through; however, it did not appear that any items were taken.
• On June 28th, investigators again responded to Mt. Tabor church for a second burglary and this time church officials indicated that a television valued at $700.00 was taken from the church.
• On July 8th just after 9am, investigators were called to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church located on Church Street in Little Mountain for a break in. The investigators were told that the burglary had occurred sometime between 11:00am on Tuesday and Wednesday morning. While someone went through items in the church, it did not appear anything was taken.
• Later on the 8th, investigators responded to Dreher Island Baptist Church on State Park Road in Prosperity for a burglary. The officers learned that this incident occurred sometime between Monday mid-day and Wednesday afternoon. As with the burglary at Holy Trinity Church while someone went through items in the church, it did not appear anything was taken.
• On July 9th, investigators were called to Mt. Pilgrim Lutheran Church located on Mt. Pilgrim Church Road in Prosperity. Investigators say that the only thing taken from the burglary was a small amount of change.
• Later on the 9th, investigators responded to Calvary Baptist Church on Calvary Church Road for another break in. Investigators say that it does not appear anything was taken from church at this time.

Investigators say that they are communicating with surrounding counties who have had similar burglaries at churches in hopes of being much more successful through the combined effort and greater communication.

Sheriff Lee Foster says that extra patrols will be made of not only these but all area churches and that a concentrated effort will be made on both proactive patrols and intensive criminal investigations to offer the greatest possible protection and services to the churches and community as a whole.

Deputies encourage Pastors, Church Officers, and Church Members to make sure that all doors to churches are locked and that no money is left in the church.

“Breaking into someone’s home is horrible,” said Sheriff Foster. “But to break into Gods house is simply despicable. Our officers will be working to make every effort to bring the person or persons responsible for these burglaries to justice for their crimes.”

There is no vehicle or suspect description at this time.