Financial Crime News 08/07/2023

(August 02) Church Community Devastated As Thieves Steal Grill Used For Outreach | Elgin, SC

The church uses the grill for events across the Richland and Kershaw area from feeding the needy to cooking for youth groups.

Miracle Deliverance Outreach Ministry in Elgin was targeted by thieves on June 19th.

The church community was devastated when they arrived at the church to realize their large pull-behind grill, was stolen from their backyard.

"We do cooking for the needy. We do outreach here, and it was a little devastating," says the co-pastor.

Surveillance footage from the church captured the two men using bolt cutters to cut the fence to be able to come in and steal the grill.

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(August 02) Cleveland Police Look To Identify Suspect In Church Car Theft | Cleveland, OH

Cleveland police are looking to the public to identify the suspect in a grand theft motor vehicle.

Police said on July 20 around 8 a.m. at Our Lady of Angels Church (OLA), located at 3622 Rocky River Drive, the pictured suspect stole a white Chevrolet Silverado belonging to OLA Church.

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(August 02) 2nd Suspect In Church Break-In Case Sentenced | NC

A second man charged with breaking into two eastern Wilkes County churches and then stealing items last fall was sentenced to between 58 and 82 months in prison in Wilkes Superior Court on July 17.

Gabriel Alexander Phipps, 29, of Ronda, was sentenced by Judge John M. Morris of Wentworth. Phipps was given credit for 277 days in jail,

The Wilkes Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged Phipps and Joshua Phil Ostowalt, 32, of Hickory, for break-ins and larcenies at Brier Creek Baptist Church on Old 60 in Roaring River and Mountain Valley Missionary Baptist Church on South Plum Ridge Road in the Cranberry community. There were other church break-ins in that same area last fall.

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(August 02) Warrant Served To Woman Suspected Of Stealing From Church | AL

Central Alabama CrimeStoppers says the woman suspected of stealing from a church has been found and a warrant has been served.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a woman accused of stealing from a church.

The suspect is identified as 22-year-old Precious Hudson. She is 5 feet tall and weighs approximately 160 pounds.

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(July 31) Teens Attending Church Camp Accused In String Of Rockaway Beach Robberies | Portland, OR

Two teenage boys taking part in a church camp are accused of taking part in a string of thefts at Rockaway Beach and robbing a convenience store clerk at knifepoint, according to the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office.

The 16- and 17-year-old boys were arrested on July 21 for the string of thefts that took place earlier in July, authorities said. Video surveillance from the robbery at Rockaway Beach Center Market shows the teens pointing knives at the clerk while trying to steal several items including alcohol and vape products.

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