Churches robbed and vandalized in Cass County

LINDEN, Texas — Detectives in Cass County are investigating numerous cases of vandalism and thefts at several churches.

Churches in Linden, Hughes Springs and Avinger have all been vandalized earlier this month, according to information from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

Security video from Missionary Baptist Church in Hughes Springs shows a suspect vandalizing the inside of the church.

Not only were the offices trashed, but the suspect allegedly took money that had been set aside for someone’s funeral.

When police arrived they found several rooms trashed.

Photos from security cameras show two people and a car but the photos are blurry.

The New Colony Baptist Church is Hughes Springs has also recently been vandalized. Some of the incidents go back to December. Shaun Collins, pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Linden said the vandalism at his church happened on a Sunday afternoon right before Christmas.

“I got a call from someone that the church had been vandalized. It was shortly after the deacons left, so we think someone might have been watching to make sure everyone was gone.

He said the suspect or suspects busted the door to the fellowship hall and also vandalized his office.

Collins said the items stolen from Pleasant Hill were very strange.

“They took our thermometer and some rechargeable batteries. There was a keyboard there and amps and they didn’t mess with any of it.”

He said the church staff rarely leaves money at the church but the music equipment was usually left there. However, now the music equipment is removed between services.

Collins thinks the suspects might be a group of people since so many churches have been vandalized in such a wide area.

(Anyone with information can call the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at 903-7567511. In Linden, call the Linden Police Department at 903-756-5544. And in Hughes Springs, call the Hughes Springs Police Department at 903-639-2621.)