Prayers answered: Church burglars have change of heart
Church known for helping hungry, homeless
UPDATED 8:11 PM CST Dec 02, 2015
By Heath Allen
When burglars hit a Slidell church known for feeding the hungry and homeless, the community was stunned.
Thousands of dollars worth of equipment was stolen, and police began an investigation into the crime.
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But church leaders called on the thieves to return what was stolen, and charges would not be pressed.
"Please do the right thing. Bring the equipment back. We really need it. You have no idea how hard we worked for that equipment," Mount Olive AME Church representative John Autry said.
Autry's plea apparently struck a nerve. Another church member received an anonymous call hours later about where the equipment could be found.
"When I got the call that morning, and they (were) telling me it was back, I was completely shocked," Autry said.
"It is unusual for somebody to break in and steal something of value and then return it, but I think the victims being a church here locally in Slidell, they are all about helping people," Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith said.
The church's kitchen seves about 90,000 meals a year, and some of them are delivered to shut-ins.
The equipment taken included a mower, and replacing the stolen items would have put a financial burden on the church.
"We just don't have $7,000 to $8,000 laying around every day that you can just go spend and ... buy new equipment," Autry said. "We are delighted."
"These individuals felt sorry for what they did and returned it, and the victim didn't want to pursue charges, so we are all happy at the end of the day," Smith said.
Slidell police urge residents and shoppers always be aware of their surroundings, and to lock their cars and homes. They also urged everyone to report suspicious activity.
Thousands of dollars worth of equipment was stolen, and police began an investigation into the crime.
Watch the story
But church leaders called on the thieves to return what was stolen, and charges would not be pressed.
"Please do the right thing. Bring the equipment back. We really need it. You have no idea how hard we worked for that equipment," Mount Olive AME Church representative John Autry said.
Autry's plea apparently struck a nerve. Another church member received an anonymous call hours later about where the equipment could be found.
"When I got the call that morning, and they (were) telling me it was back, I was completely shocked," Autry said.
"It is unusual for somebody to break in and steal something of value and then return it, but I think the victims being a church here locally in Slidell, they are all about helping people," Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith said.
The church's kitchen seves about 90,000 meals a year, and some of them are delivered to shut-ins.
The equipment taken included a mower, and replacing the stolen items would have put a financial burden on the church.
"We just don't have $7,000 to $8,000 laying around every day that you can just go spend and ... buy new equipment," Autry said. "We are delighted."
"These individuals felt sorry for what they did and returned it, and the victim didn't want to pursue charges, so we are all happy at the end of the day," Smith said.
Slidell police urge residents and shoppers always be aware of their surroundings, and to lock their cars and homes. They also urged everyone to report suspicious activity.
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