Police search for church AC thieves

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Police are searching for the crooks responsible from a South Florida church.

Gaston Smith is the pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Miami. He was scheduled to have a meeting with a member Friday morning when the member noticed something was wrong. "I came on the side here and saw the AC unit had been taken out," said member Charles Jackson. "It had been stolen because whoever did this knew what they were doing."

Smith and the Parishioners are wondering exactly who would rip off an AC unit from a church. "It's a sad commentary and terrible indictment for someone to come in to the house of God and vandalize and burglarize. It's a sign of the time, and it's a difficult pill to swallow, said Smith.

Jackson said, "I think it's literally horrible that someone would have the audacity to come on church ground and, literally, it's like stealing from the Lord."

Crime scene investigators are searching for clues, while Smith and and his parishioners are left to scratch their heads about who could do such a thing. "These people are at a point of desperation, and we have to be on a watch and make sure this doesn't happen to any more of our other churches," said Smith.

"Don't come and take from the church. The church is here to help the community, and we don't need people coming from the community taking from the church," said Jackson

If you have any information on this theft, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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