By Message Staff
The Christmas season is not all cheer for some Louisiana Baptist churches after being victimized by burglars in the past two weeks.
Five churches of various denominations in Grant Parish and four Baptist churches in Rapides Parish have reported theft or vandalism inside their buildings. According to Robert Daniel, director of missions for Big Creek, Central Louisiana and North Rapides Baptist Associations, the Baptist churches vandalized were Wayside Baptist Church in Pollock, Alpine First Baptist Church, Bethel Baptist Church in Colfax, First Baptist Church in Lacompte, Lamourie Baptist Church in Lecompte, Oak Grove Baptist Church in Bentley and Riverview Baptist Church in Alexandria.
Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain said the burglaries occurred late Sunday following evening services. He is urging churches not to leave cash in their facilities for any reason.
“Also, make sure all doors and windows are locked,” McCain said in an e-mailed statement. “If you have a surveillance system, please make sure it is working properly and if you have an alarm system make sure it is turned on. We are working hard with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Detectives to solve these cases.”
Lt. Tommy Carnline, public information officer for the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, also advised churches to keep all doors and windows locked, leave some lights on at all times and install a security camera and alarm system.
He added churches should keep serial numbers and take photos of all valuables, and establish a point of contact with the law enforcement in the event of an incident.
“A camera system will help deter criminals, especially if they are visible,” he said. “A game camera will only capture the suspects on video. We have seen some game cameras that have been put up in the woods as well as on property taken by the suspect.”
Daniel said while churches have been burglarized in the past but this is the most he can remember that have happened at one time.
He said churches should follow Sheriff’s office guidelines and let his association office know if they are victims of burglaries.
“We recommend churches have someone elected to get the receipts as soon as they are collected and take them to a night or weekend depository at a bank that same day,” Daniel said. “Don’t leave cash laying around in your church for any reason. If you do, then something like this is going to make you very vulnerable.”
Alpine First Baptist Church is among the churches who were victimized in the recent string of break-ins. Pastor Lucas LaCour, who has more than 16 years of experience serving with the Grant Parish Sheriff Department, said the suspect or suspects broke a window and then forced their way into the church offices and worship center sometime after the evening hours of Dec. 4, searching through cabinets, drawers and even under the baptistery for cash. However, the church did not have any money on hand and had surveillance cameras on its premises.
“They passed over a lot of valuable items,” LaCour said. “To the best of our knowledge they did not take anything with them. We were very fortunate. I’m really praying for those folks.”
Rodney Bragg, pastor of First Baptist Church in Lecompte, said perpetrators damaged one of the church’s doors and stole a small amount of cash, breaking into a safe that contained the money.
“While it was a little frustrating at first knowing someone would do that, we realized it could have been a lot worse,” Bragg said. “We were thankful there wasn’t a lot of damage to the church. It’s regretful someone felt the need to do that.”
Cathy Clark discovered damage inside Bethel Baptist Church in Colfax when she arrived at their office Monday, Dec. 12. In the 15 years she has served as secretary of the church, this is the first time she can recall a break-in there.
This is the second round of break-ins at Louisiana Baptist churches this year.
In mid-July, four Louisiana Baptist churches were among eight churches and six businesses in four parishes victimized by burglars and vandals. According to investigators at the Sheriff offices in the four parishes (Avoyelles, LaSalle, Catahoula and Rapides), it does not appear the string of break-ins were related in any way.
An investigation is ongoing into the recent rash of burglaries this month.
