July 14, 2009
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News: Church No Longer Sacred To CC Thieves
Churches were once considered a sacred and safe place to be. Criminals having a desire to turn themselves into the authorities found a safe haven in church. But today, things have changed. Churches have now become the target of credit card thieves. Bellbrook, Ohio Police Department is looking for a man who allegedly entered four Dayton area churches and stole credit cards. Central Ohio's 10TV News released surveillance shoots showing the criminal entering and leaving one of the churches. After stealing the cards, the thief used them to make purchases at several area retailers including Meijer and Giant Eagle. The criminal also used the stolen credit cards to make purchases across the state of Ohio including Wal-Mart, Kroger, and several gas stations.
Authorities say the thief targeted churches in the Dayton area as well as Fairfield County and Licking County. At one of the locations, the Bellbrook Community Church just south of Dayton, the criminal entered the church through an unlocked door. While church members were getting ready for their annual Rummage Sale, the thief was having his very own rummage event. Bellbrook police Detective Keith Salyers said that while members of the church were working outside, the man snuck in and found his way to the church office. There he searched through desk drawers and found the church's credit card. Police indicated that the man was caught on surveillance tapes using the stolen card. Authorities also believe that the thief stole a credit card out of an individual's purse inside a Fairfield County church.
Bellbrook police have described the suspect as a white Caucasian male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and in his 20's or 30's and was driving a black four door sedan with racing rims. He has several body markings with tattoos on his left wrist, outer calf, inner leg, and above the ankle. Authorities have warned churches to be on the lookout for the credit card thief and to test all surveillance equipment to assure they are working properly.