49 Crime Tracker: Car break-ins cause church to strengthen security
Originally published 01:11 p.m., February 11, 2008
Updated 06:29 p.m., February 11, 2008
While Topeka churchgoers were trying to steal hearts, crooks were stealing from their cars.
Between six and eight cars were burglarized in the parking lot of Fellowship Bible Church, 6800 SW 10th St., while more than 200 people were celebrating a Valentine's Day get together Friday night, associate pastor David Hinkle said.
For some, it was an expensive lesson.
"My wife's purse was in the floorboard," said Allen Joy, churchgoer and victim. "I'm sure they probably just flashed a flashlight down there and saw that there was something there to take and popped a window and away they go. The vehicles on either side of me were OK."
The crooks did about $9,700 in damage, according to a police report. Among the items stolen from the cars were two laptop computers, several iPods, school books and prescription drugs.
"We were disappointed, obviously, that it had happened," Hinkle said. "It was a frustrating thing that these would happen anywhere in our city, not to mention a church."
He said church members will patrol the parking lot at future events, especially at night.
Topeka Police Capt. Ron Brown said Topekans have become complacent, especially with the cold weather.
"Folks, you know, they want to get in their cars very quickly," Brown said. "They're not thinking about looking in their vehicle, they're not thinking when they go to a church that they have to be concerned about the safety of their vehicle."
He said Topekans should be reminded to take valuables out of their cars no matter where they are in the city.
Our 49 News Crime Tracker found there were 123 car break-ins from Jan. 1 through Feb. 7, 2008. Last year, there were 199 car break-ins reported during the same time period.
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If you have any information about a crime, please call police at the following numbers:
Topeka Police (non-emergency): (785) 368-9400
Topeka Crime Stoppers (for anonymous tips): (785) 234-0007
Crimes in Shawnee County (non-emergency): (785) 368-2200
Kansas Bureau of Investigation: 1-800-KS-CRIME (800-572-7463)
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