Published: March 04, 2007 09:56 pm            

Burglars return stolen equipment from church

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Burglars who stole thousands of dollars of equipment from the Guyandotte United Methodist Church apparently had a change of heart, breaking in the following night to return what they stole.

Thieves first jimmied the church’s door locks Monday night and stole about $5,000 worth of sound and office equipment, church treasurer Rocky Frazier said. Then, they broke back the next night and returned everything.

“They taketh and the Lord giveth back,” Frazier said Friday. “It’s like there’s a higher power at work.”

Whatever the reason, they had a change of heart, said the Rev. Julia Bolling.

“It was either that, or our prayer for grace for them,” she said.

The sound system, keyboard, computer — “It’s all back,” she said.

The only thing the thieves didn’t return was about $22 in change, Frazier said.

Even though the equipment was returned and no real damage was done, Huntington Police Lt. Rocky Johnson said the investigation remains open.

“It’s odd that they brought it back,” said Johnson, noting that he’s never seen anything like this. “I’m glad they did.”

        

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