================================================ Subject: Seems our music thieves have moved on to easier targets From: "Keith Mears" To: Date: Thu 7 Mar 2002 21:36:50 -0500 ================================================ But wait, this would have to be different, because it's not a RECORD LABEL that lost money....right? http://www.msnbc.com/local/WTHR/M156940.asp Thieves targeting churches Rhori Johnston Eyewitness News BROWNSBURG, March 7 - Pastor Michelle Knight and the congregation at the Calvary United Methodist church in Brownsburg were shocked to learn someone walked into an office, opened a drawer and stole church money. "The offerings that were collected at 8:30 and 9:45 were stolen," says Knight.      What's even more shocking is the thief took the cash on Sunday, during busy church services. And he got away with a lot. Knight estimates "it could be anywhere between five, seven, ten thousand dollars."      This latest case of church theft may sound bold, but unfortunately it's nothing new in central Indiana. Over the past few months, and past few years, thieves and vandals have targeted dozens of congregations.      In January, someone broke into the Liberty Baptist Church near Clermont and stole computers and stereo equipment. Pastor Mike Messer thinks, "we were just vulnerable."      Vulnerable no more, the congregation has since installed a security system.      Other churches are forced to do the same. Last month, someone stole more than $50,000 from the Mount Pleasant Christian Church in Johnson County. And in Clinton County vandals hit the Zion Apostolic church in Frankfort.      Brownsburg Police Lieutenant Jim Gray says, by nature, churches are easy targets. "A lot of times they have an open door policy and people are free to come and go. And sometimes these types of things occur."      Police hope they occur less as churches tighten security.      And the churches hope they can turn these crimes into compassion. "It's an opportunity for us to witness that even an act like this will not stop us from being open again Sunday," says Knight. To unsubscribe or change your preferences for the Creed-Discuss list, visit: http://www.winduplist.com/ls/discuss/form.asp