Silver and safe stolen during church break-in
BURGLARS may have used a Runcorn church’s wheelie bin to make off with chalices and other items including a safe and silver plate after smashing their way in.
Detectives are investigating after crooks smashed their way into Trinity Methodist Church on Main Street in Halton Village overnight some time between 9.30pm on Tuesday, November 5 and 8am the following morning.
Speaking last Wednesday, after the Weekly News had gone to press, worshippers said the burglars broke in through a fire exit by hurling a slab of sandstone through the glass.
Once inside they broke their way into the minister’s office - even though it was believed to be unlocked - and made off with items including silver chalices, plates for bread, an electric keyboard and a safe containing baptism documents.
Members of the congregation told the Weekly News that the church wheelie bin, marked ‘TMC’ in white paint, was also missing, suggesting the crooks might have used it to carry away the stolen goods.
They have also speculated that Bonfire Night might have been picked deliberately because loud bangs were less likely to stir suspicions.
Cheshire police have launched a hunt for the burglars.
In a written statement, Detective Sergeant Rob McLoughlin, of Runcorn Local Policing Unit, said: “The church is part of the local community and popular with residents, for it to be targeted in this way is disgraceful.
“As part of our enquiries we are currently exploring a number of forensic opportunities and establishing whether anything has been stolen.
“Offender/s have caused significant damage inside the church and we are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch.
“Perhaps you saw some suspicious behaviour around the church between 9.30pm yesterday, into this morning or you have information which could assist with our investigation?
“If so, please get in touch with us.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire police on 101 quoting IML 558206, or provide details or dashcam footage online at www.cheshirepolice.uk, or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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