Ministries and Thieveries: Burglars hit four Lowndes County churches

Published 1:07 pm Monday, July 24, 2017

VALDOSTA — Four different churches in Lowndes County reported break-ins and thefts over a two-day period last week, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Capt. Stryde Jones, of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, said the burglars stole musical and electronic equipment. He didn’t want to get specific because the Sheriff’s Office is still investigating and searching for the culprits.

St. Mark Baptist Church was the first stop for the criminals. The church, on Highway 84 near Naylor, discovered the burglary the morning of Wednesday, July 19, Jones said.

The other three burglaries were all discovered the next morning, Thursday, July 20, at Swilley Hill Church of God on Hickory Grove Road (southeast of Valdosta); Corinth Baptist Church in Lake Park and Korean First Presbyterian Church on Bemiss Road.

“Considering the rarity of a church burglary, now to have four, I think we have to assume they’re linked until we can prove differently,” Jones said.

The Sheriff’s Office is keeping an eye on pawn shops and other places the stolen property might turn up, Jones said.

Paulk said the thieves probably chose the churches because they’re an easy target.

“They’re unoccupied normally. All you got to do is look at the sign out front and you know when the services are,” Paulk said.

“I just can’t fathom breaking into a church and stealing something. But in this day and time, meth heads and people that have no morals or ethics whatsoever (would). All they’re after is self-satisfaction,” he added. 

Anyone with information on the burglaries can call the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office at (229) 671-2900.