Churches keep faith despite break-ins

By Elise Franco

Three township churches are installing security systems to avoid future burglary woes.

AUSTINTOWN — The faith of three churches is strong, even after a string of break-ins within the township has threatened to shake it.

Since November 2008, Highway Tabernacle Church on South Raccoon Road, Crossroads Church on South Meridian Road and Lynkirk Church of Christ on Kirk Road have been broken into and robbed of thousands of dollars worth of cash and electronics.

But those closely involved with the churches said they’re not running scared.

Doug Wampler, pastor at Crossroads Church, said although the break-in occurred just two weeks ago on a Sunday afternoon, Jan. 2, he doesn’t want to rehash what happened when it’s more important to keep moving toward a better future.

“We’re going to take everything going forward,” he said. “We’re not going to let something like this faze us.”

Mr. Wampler said the groundskeeper is looking into a security system to ensure the same type of thing doesn’t happen again.

He said it’s unfortunate to see crime in the community, but Crossroads members are taking it in stride.

“People have shown concern. ... They heard about the break-in, but nobody is really freaking out,” he said. “We trust in the police department and any leads they might have.”

Austintown Police Chief Robert Gavalier said it’s likely all three break-ins are connected and noted the department has been working hard to find the person responsible. He confirmed the department has “a very strong lead.”

“I think right now we’re just trying to locate him,” Gavalier said.

Stephanie Easton, manager of Lynkirk Christian School and Lynkirk Church of Christ, said she was devastated when police called to tell her someone had broken into the building Nov. 4.

“I honestly was distraught and overwhelmed with the mess and the chaos,” she said.

Like the parishioners at Crossroads, church members of Lynkirk wouldn’t let the crime deter them from the mission of the church.

“Everyone felt that it was a shame to break into a day care and a church,” she said. “They especially felt like it was really risking his choice with God.”

Easton described the theft of an undetermined amount of cash and about $2,000 in electronics as “desperate.”

She said, ironically, a security system was scheduled to be installed the day after the burglary.

The important thing, Easton said, is that the alarm system is now in place, so the same type of crime doesn’t reoccur.

“What’s so funny about it is he broke in on Tuesday, and Wednesday my security system was coming,” she said. “I now take my checkbook home because he tried to write payroll checks, and things inside the church are now locked up.”

The pastor and building manager at Highway Tabernacle Church declined to comment on the two break-ins there — one took place between Nov. 3 and 4 and the other on Dec. 21.

In the two separate incidents, an unknown amount of cash and a 37-inch Panasonic LCD monitor was taken.

A police report filed Nov. 4 said the intruder smashed out several windows and damaged several filing cabinets.

The same type of damage was found at both Crossroads and Lynkirk, the police reports note.

Easton said she commends the Austintown officers working on the case.

“The police worked really hard,” she said. “They got my computer back. Unfortunately, I didn’t receive anything else back.”

efranco@vindy.com