Unholy intruders rob church
It was a planned crime by professionals who knew everything about our church
A LOCAL church was dealt a severe blow on Monday as thieves targeted the building in the latest of a string of criminal incidents.
On Monday, the Christian Family Church International in Empangeni was hit by a group of thieves believed to be operating within the CBD and targeting buildings on Maxwell Street.
They forcefully broke into the building and stole chairs and two TV screens.
Just before 3am, church leader Pastor Graham Patterson received a call from an armed response company about unusual activity inside the building.
When he arrived, the scene confirmed his worst nightmare – gate bars were yanked and glass in doors and windows was shattered.
According to Patterson, criminals gained access to the building by using an isolated gate next to a pedestrian passageway.
“They used a log to bend all bars to gain entry. We had a barrier wall of heavy chairs to block anyone from accessing the building but they pushed through.
“In the last month, the premises has been broken into several times. Our container, in which equipment and chairs for our feeding scheme are stored, has also been broken into several times.
“We have had to replace outside lights several times as criminals steal them.
“We have lost many chairs. The replacement and repairs cost is estimated at R17 900, excluding money that we had to fork out to fix the damage to the property and beef up our security,” explained Patterson.
According to Patterson, one perpetrator is visible on the CCTV camera, and he is working with the police to identify the culprit.
“It’s someone who has been inside the church before because they seem to know everything.
“The camera shows him walking up and down, and that he knew where the screens were. He even knew where to switch on the lights.
“It took them 17 minutes to gain access to the building, steal and pack everything. This was a planned crime by professionals who knew everything about our church,” he explained.
Patterson said a gang is targeting buildings on Maxwell Street, and that a grocery store, a bed store and others have been targeted.
A case was opened at Empangeni SAPS, and fingerprints taken.
While the church counts the cost, its feeding scheme continues and its doors will be open for the next Sunday service.