FROM STAFF REPORTS

WESTOVER–On Sunday, Oct. 12 at approximately 6:15 p.m., Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies responded to New Life Church in the 11000 block of U.S. 280 to investigate a burglary in the Westover community.

Deputies discovered that a rear glass door had been smashed in and that someone had rummaged through all of the church’s offices.  Money and other items were stolen from the church.

All local church leaders along the U.S. 280 corridor are encouraged to review the physical security of their churches and their policies on securing money and other valuables in the church.

“This is the first such church burglary we have investigated in a long time, and it may have been a random act,” read a Shelby County Sheriff’s Office press release. “Either way, we are asking you to help us prevent it from happening to your church.”

Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies from all shifts will be patrolling local churches with increased frequency until the suspects are caught and prosecuted.

Shelby County Sheriff’s investigators need your help. Anyone with information about this burglary is urged to contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office directly at 669-4181, through the Secret Witness line at 669-9116 or through the department’s website at ShelbySO.com by clicking on the “Report Criminal Activity” link and choosing the “General Information” category.