Crime & Safety
Thief Strikes Bethabara Baptist
Five outside air conditioning units, collectively valued at $35,000, were stolen from the church's facilities between Oct. 6 and Oct. 8.
An Oconee County church reported five outside air conditioning units, each valued at $7,000, stolen over the weekend.
The pastor of on Monroe Highway told 's deputies that the theft occurred sometime between 7 p.m on Thursday, Oct. 6 and 6 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8.
Three units were removed from the Sunday school building and two were taken from the annex building, the pastor told deputies.
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A survey of the scene concluded circuit breakers were taken off of each unit and power wires and copper coolant pipes had been cut with a saw, according to an incident report at the Sheriff's Office. After the units were cut free, they were removed.
Based on fluid found on the pavement near the missing units, deputies estimate the theft most likely happened sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning, the report noted. No foot, tire tracks, or fingerprints could be collected, deputies wrote in the report.
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The case has been turned over to investigations.
Recently Sheriff Scott Berry gave a presentation to the Georgia Farm Bureau, where he spoke about the ongoing metal theft "crisis" in Georgia. .
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