Another Northside Church the Target of Thieves

A third church located on the Northside of Edgefield was discovered to have been the target of thieves, Sunday, August, 17, although, again the crime may have been committed days earlier. (See The Advertiser’s previous coverage of the two other churches burglarized at our website.) McKendree Baptist Church on Hwy 378 was the site of the crime this time, and in this case, a Yamaha sound mixing board was the only item reported stolen. Additionally, contrary to the other two church burglaries, there was no sign of forced entry into the church. Since there was a hidden extra key at the location, there is a belief that key’s location may have been compromised.

This incident makes three church burglaries in this area, however, the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office report detailing this incident also states there have been church burglaries reported within Saluda County’s portion of this area as well. This burglary has been turned over to the investigative unit of the ECSO.

Home Vandalized on Weaver Road in Johnston

A home that is currently being remodeled on Weaver Road in Johnston was reported to have been vandalized, Sunday, August 17. According to a report filed with the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office, the homeowner had last been at the property the day prior and had left everything in tact that evening. However, upon returning Sunday, she found the back door had been pried open and all the wiring hanging out of the ceiling and walls. Additionally, several hand tools had had there cords cut off and a sheet of plywood was missing. The owner noted that the home’s wiring had just been completed the day before. The estimated damage to the home was listed as $7,000 and the amount of property taken was believed to be near $200. An ECSO investigator did process this scene for evidence, and the investigation into the matter continues.

Two Churches Burglarized on the Northside

Burglaries to two Northside churches was reported to the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday, August, 13, however, the actual crimes could have happened days earlier. According to the incident reports filed in relation to these crimes, Pine Grove Baptist Church was forcefully entered by thieves through one of the churches doors causing an estimated $200 worth of damage. From that church, thieves stole a sound system and a microphone with its cord all valued at around $800. Pleasant Lane Church on Peterson Lane was the second target of thieves. In this instance, a door to the church had been pried open again causing about $200 in damages. From this location three speakers, estimated to be worth over $1000 in all, were taken. Each scene was processed and evidence was collect from at least one of the locales. The investigative unit of the ECSO is handling these cases.

ECSO Recovers Stolen Vehicle

Law Enforcement personnel with the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an abandoned vehicle in front of a hunting club on Vann Road, Thursday, August 14. According to an ECSO report, a silver Toyota RAV 4 with a Georgia license plate was found stuck in a hole that had been dug around the entrance of the gate to the hunting club to keep people from going around the gate. When the vehicle’s information was run through dispatch it was discovered that the SUV had been reported stolen from Richmond County, Ga. The vehicle was processed for evidence and inside of it were found a speaker box and amp, a corded skill saw, a corded saws all, a super tuner, a tool bag full of hand tools, an IPOD, and a Blackberry cell phone. These items are believed to have possibly been stolen as well. Evidence from this incident was collected by the ECSO, and the vehicle was towed from the scene.