UPDATE: Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

A word of warning if you are heading out to Wednesday night church services or if you attend church this weekend. Wichita police are urging churchgoers to be on guard after a recent string of car break-ins at area church parking lots.

Wichita police are concerned about a possible trend developing where thieves prey upon those attending church, breaking into their cars and stealing things while the folks are inside praying."

The Hillside Christian Church is one of the three churches thieves targeted over the past week. Four cars at the three churches were broken into, and items were stolen.

Hillside Christian Church Sr. Minister Dr, Bill McConnell says, “"They broke out the window and apparently the lady left her purse on the front seat of the car and it was stolen."

Besides the Hillside Christian Church, thieves broke into cars a Lincoln Baptist Church at 7801 E. Lincoln and the new Spring Church on east 21st, near the K-96 bypass.

Wichita Police Lieutenant Doug Nolte says, "These are large churches. When they are in service there are a lot of cars, busy and people are walking around. So it makes it a good cover for someone that is stealing.",

Lt. Nolte says police want to be proactive in alerting us, so people can be vigilant and take defensive steps. That would include, in simplest terms, keeping valuables out of site. Hillside’s Pastor, McConnell says his church is responding to this and taking action.

"We're going to advertise to the congregation to be very vigilant and not leave valuables in the car, and we're going to secure volunteers who will go through the parking area on Sunday mornings and make sure that vehicles are not bothered during our worship service," says McConnell.

If the police were putting this in New Testament language, they might remind us what Paul told us- that the devil is always seeking whom he may devour. But we're reminded to keep valuables out of sight, not giving the devil an opportunity to devour or steal from us.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Wichita police are looking for suspects wanted in connection to a series of auto burglaries, while people attended church services.

Authorities are investigating at least four reports that occurred over the weekend. The crimes occurred at three east-side churches.

Police said thieves stole purses in each incident. Two crimes occurred at New Spring Church, 12200 E. 21st St., while victims reported similar break-ins at Lincoln Baptist Church, 7801 E. Lincoln, and Hillside Christian Church, 8330 E. Douglas.

Officers said church parking lots are a good cover for thieves.

“These are large churches,” said Lt. Doug Nolte, Wichita police. “When they are in service, there are a lot of cars. It’s busy.”

Police urge people to be aware of their surroundings, even at church.

“We don’t want any people victimized or have their identities stolen,” Nolte said.