By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

MAYLENE – The Alabaster Police Department is investigating the theft of more than $1,000 in music equipment and $5,000 in damages from a church on Shelby County 17 in Maylene, and is looking for the public’s help in solving the crime.

At about 9:40 a.m. on Nov. 16, the Cedar Grove Holiness Church in the 7300 block of Shelby County 17 contacted the police department to report the breaking and entering and theft.

According to the police department’s incident report, a cream and white guitar valued at $400, a Mustang amplifier valued at $300, a Fender electric bass guitar valued at $400 and a fire safe box were stolen from the church.

“It was a forced entry, and there was extensive damage inside the church,” Alabaster Police Chief Curtis Rigney said on Nov. 18, noting the incident caused about $5,000 in damages to the church building.

The theft and damages occurred sometime between 9 a.m. on Nov. 15 and 9:40 a.m. on Nov. 16.

As of Nov. 18, the police department was still investigating the crime, and encouraged anyone with information on the incident to contact the department at 663-7401.

If a suspect is arrested, he or she will face felony third-degree burglary and second-degree theft of property charges.