Churches burglarized in north Okaloosa

LAUREL HILL, Florida (WALA) - The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a series of church burglaries that were all reported Tuesday in North Okaloosa County. Deputies say the burglars even took money donated by children.

Burglars entered the Bethel Assembly of God Church in Laurel Hill. Day says about $10,000 worth of items were stolen.

"I was not feeling very righteous that moment," Pastor Jack Day said.

He is now practicing what he preaches; forgiveness. He found the mess and noticed the items were missing on Wednesday morning.

"Every room had been gone through essentially searched and torn up," said Day.

Day says they broke in by tying a rope from their vehicle to the handle and pulling out.

The burglars stole expensive sound equipment, and money donated by the children at vacation bible school.

"They take it up to help pay for eats and drinks we serve, goes toward ministry of the childrens' church," explained Day.

The First Baptist Church of Holt at West U.S. Highway 90 was also targeted and thieves took an office safe, cell phone, and computer.

In addition, deputies were called to Ebenezer Baptist Church, Welcome Assembly and New Travelers Church. Burglars had taken a lawn mower, fuel can, and a fire extinguisher.

Pastor Day says the burglars may have taken what they thought was valuable, but his most treasured items are still here.

"Not a single bible was taken in all that and that's the most valuable thing we have here.We would like to see these people apprehended, mostly we would like to see these people forgiven," said Day.

Three of the churches suffered some damage due to the forced entries.

Anyone with information on these crimes is asked to contact the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office at 850-689-5705 or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS.