Deputies Search For Church Thieves
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Henderson County deputies are searching for the thieves who targeted a West Tennessee church sometime last week. The small, out-of-the-way church in Reagan is now faced with replacing pricey musical equipment after burglars broke in and stole from their house of worship. Pastor Donald Jones founded Pentecostal Lighthouse Church about 12 years ago, and never thought someone would steal from it. “I guess it’s the day we’re living in. People don’t respect other people’s property,” Jones said. Pastor Jones told 7 Eyewitness News he went out to the back building to turn the heater on for their Sunday School class. He found the door open, and something did not seem right. “At first glance I didn’t notice anything missing, and then later some of the others went out there and they said, ‘Well, wait a minute. Our guitars are missing.” The burglar stole one vintage electric guitar, a bass guitar, and an amplifier. Neither Pastor Jones, nor investigators know who did it. Deputies have no suspects, no fingerprints, and no vehicle. “I would like to think I wouldn’t know anybody, or the people who broke in and did it, didn’t know me,” Jones said. “I’d hate to think that somebody I know would do that.” Investigators have no leads, but said they are keeping an eye on the pawn shops in nearby counties to make sure the thieves are not trying to resell the guitars. “You would hope that people would have more respect for a church, even if they don’t agree with our teaching and our doctrine, I mean, it is a house of God.” Jones said church members are of course upset over what happened, but said they have forgiven the thieves. When caught, the suspect faces a felony burglary charge, and a charge of theft of more than $1,000. If you have any information that would help investigators, call the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department at (731) 968-7777.
