The Jackson Church was recently broken into, and as a result, three of its air conditioning systems sustained significant damage. The perpetrators are also responsible for the theft of the air conditioner's compressor, which reportedly cost thousands of dollars to repair.
Bulgars at Jackson Church
J. Artie Stuckey, the Church of Restoration's pastor located on Belvedere Drive, stated that there had been two separate instances of burglary at the church over the past few weeks. A report from MSN stated that the burglars disconnected the electrical lines connecting the air conditioning units to the building and then took three air conditioning units after dismantling and stealing them. As mentioned, the church contacted somebody to visit them and provide them with an estimation. They projected that it would cost the church $59,000 to perform the repair and that it would take one month to finish.
Moreover, Stuckey reportedly became aware of an issue for the first time when he stopped by the choir rehearsal. He claimed that he adjusted the setting on the thermostat inside the church, but there was no difference in the temperature. The pastor also said that he walked outdoors to find out what the issue was. "When I came out, I came out to basically what you see now: compressors being stolen, electrical wires being ripped out," he asserted.
On the other hand, following the attempted break-in by the criminals, the front door was secured with a substantial chain and padlock. The church is currently compelled to use small ventilators during the worship service on Sunday mornings inside a gymnasium. This gymnasium also serves as a venue for weekend and summer basketball programs for children and teenagers held by local organizations.
According to a report from ABC Wapt, Stuckey is of the impression that the burglary was carried out in a skilled and deliberate manner by an individual who was well aware of what they were doing. However, he has no idea why they would choose to attack a place of worship. "They didn't just hurt us as a church. They hurt the opportunity for some kids every summer, an opportunity to be in here," he noted. Furthermore, the pastor contacted the Jackson Police Department twice and submitted two reports. He also asserted that the insurance company would not cover the expense of replacing the equipment that had been taken.
Similar Incident in Church
The Living Hope Missionary Baptist Church had previously had a lot on its plate in 2018, starting with the rehabilitation from the tornado that struck their area, and then an individual wrecked their air conditioning systems, WFMY News 2 reported. According to the Greensboro Police Department, a burglar or thieves made their initial strike on May 30, 2018, when they tore apart one of the units and removed the wiring made of copper from it. Based on the law enforcement officials, it is likely that whoever took the copper intends to sell it at a scrapyard.
Also, on the morning of June 11, 2018, a report of the most recent burglary was made. According to the authorities, two additional air conditioning units belonging to the church were broken into, and parts were taken from them. Thus, since the tornado destroyed their church, Pastor Woodard indicates that his congregation has been attending worship sessions at the New Cedar Grove Baptist Church to continue meeting.
Related Article: Pastor Increase Church Security Measures Following Burglary Incident to Ensure Congregations’ Safety
