Thief breaks into church during services in latest burglary at a house of worship

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus Police is now searching for a suspected crook who busted into an east side church during Sunday services.

"He was awfully bold and brazen to do something like that," said Reverend Dr Paul Large, with First Baptist Church on Noe-Bixby Road.

Large says the thief was caught on church surveillance cameras on Sunday March 3rd, getting into the building through a back door. The pastor says the burglar stole a weed wacker and garden tools from a storage room while the congregation was inside. "Pulled his car to the back corner and loaded everything into his car," said Large.

"I don't think people have much respect for the church like they used to," said Large. "Years ago you could leave a door unlocked, but not anymore.

The First Baptist Church is not the only house of Worship that's been targeted recently by burglars. According to Columbus Police records, four other churches reported burglaries within the past few weeks:

• Faith Community Wesleyan Church on Attwood Terrace.
• Christian Assembly on Karl Road
• Praise Temple Church of God on Ontario Street
• Chinese Christian Church on Maize Road

It's not known if the burglaries are tied to the same person or connected. Anyone with information is asked to call Columbus Police at 614-645-4545