Suspect throws rock through church window, breaks in and steals cash
A suspect cut the phone lines to the Ypsilanti Baptist Temple located in the 1300 block of East Cross Street in Ypsilanti Township, threw a rock through the window, broke in and stole the church’s money recently.
The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident, which is believed to have happened sometime between Monday and Thursday, when the burglary was discovered.
Sgt. Geoff Fox of the sheriff’s office said the phone lines were cut because criminals hoped to disable any alarm system, which the church was not equipped with.
The suspect then broke a glass door of the one-story brick building to get inside. The suspect went through the church offices and stole an undisclosed amount of money.
“They basically went through all the drawers,” Fox said, adding that the computers remained untouched. “Some people just want to grab anything they can fit in their pockets. They don’t want to be lugging a computer while they make their getaway.”
Church leaders told police they didn’t have any suspects in mind. Deputies continue to investigate, but there are no witnesses and no suspects have been identified.
Fox said stealing from a church is different than stealing from, for example, a place of business.
“Non-profits survive on people’s generous donations,” he said. “When you have someone come in and take it, it’s a little more despicable.”
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
John Campbell
Sun, Jul 8, 2012 : 7:54 p.m.
I think it is unwise to store cash at the church. Any donations should be collected, brought home by a trusted member, and deposited as quickly as possible. It is a shame we have to all think this way, but it is a reality of the world we live in.
genetracy
Sun, Jul 8, 2012 : 6:35 p.m.
If this happened to a mosque, the feds would be investigating.
Madeleine Borthwick
Sat, Jul 7, 2012 : 5:25 p.m.
What is this world coming to?!?!
Shawn Cole
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 11:27 p.m.
What kills me is the hole phone line thing now that every one know how to get past the alarm thanks to the washtenaw county sheriffs office lets see how many of them we read about next thanks for the tip!
OLDTIMER3
Sat, Jul 7, 2012 : 1:19 a.m.
not all alarms use a phone line, some use wifi others use like a cell phone system.
RJA
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 10:22 p.m.
I feel this robbery has nothing to do with feeding a baby. (perhaps a drug habit) Taking from a church is sickning. I hope the suspect/suspects are caught soon.
greg, too
Sat, Jul 7, 2012 : 4:11 a.m.
Really? Who cares what the reason is. It's a crime.
Thinking over here
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 6:45 p.m.
theft is despicable whoever it is from.
greg, too
Sat, Jul 7, 2012 : 4:17 a.m.
Harry, how do you know their intentions? Is there information you would like to offer up? How do we know it wasn't a crime of greed?
harry
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 8:40 p.m.
What if it is someone who is stealing food for their baby because it is starving.What if it is in a third world county where there is liittle if any donations for the poor. Would you steal?
SemperFi
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 5:05 p.m.
This perp will have to answer to a higher authority at some point. And he's not going to like it one bit! "Venegence is mine!" sayeth the lord.
perfectly lubricated weather vane
Fri, Jul 6, 2012 : 6:15 p.m.
The full citation is worth remembering: Romans 12:19 (King James Version (KJV)) 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.