Property Damage News 08/13/2023

(August 08) Suspected Burglar Arrested After Breaking Into Florida Church, ‘Baptizing Himself’ During Attempt To Steal Electronics, Money | Panama City Beach, FL

A Georgia man who broke into a Florida church on Friday morning had an unusual encounter in the baptismal, deputies said.

The suspect, identified by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office as Derek Porter, was attempting to steal from the Emerald Beach Church of God in Panama City Beach when he stopped to baptize himself, according to officials.

Shortly before, Porter had used a cinderblock to smash a window at the church and gain entry on Friday morning. A woman working in the church heard the sound and fled, deputies said.

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(August 08) Severe Winds Damage Church, Library, Homes In Cullman County | AL

As strong wind plagued several areas in North Alabama, several buildings in Cullman saw structural damage.

The wind blew out the windows at the Cullman County Public Library, knocking over almost a hundred books. Glass covered the floor from shattered windows. Ben Johnson said he volunteers at the library and has been going there for almost 60 years.

I think if it hurts your heart,” said Johnson, “Because the books are important to me and to many.”

There was also damage to the Center Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

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(August 08) 4-Alarm Fire Devastates Vineland Church | Vineland, NJ

Firefighters placed a four-alarm fire at Voice of Deliverance New Covenant Church in Vineland under control around midnight. The fire broke out around 10 p.m. Monday on the 1400 block of East Chestnut Avenue.

Investigators say the fire caused severe damage to the church and displaced residents living in a unit at the back of the property.

"This is our home. Where else are we supposed to go?" a woman who was displaced said. "This is the house of the Lord and it's gone."

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(August 07) Fire Started By Lightning Strike Destroys Church In Clayton County | Clayton County, GA

A local congregation will have to worship somewhere else after a massive fire destroyed their church.

Firefighters say a lightning strike ignited the blaze at Bethel Baptist Church in Clayton County.

Church members say it’s a blessing the fire happened after the service ended.

“The congregation had left an hour before,” Josue Cortez, the pastor’s son, told Channel 2′s Tom Jones.

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(August 07) Historic Black Church Vandalized, SLC Police Investigating As ‘Potential Bias Crime’ | Salt Lake, UT

One of Utah’s oldest predominately Black churches was vandalized as church signs were torn down and suspected hate speech was painted on the sidewalk.

“There could be some hidden message behind it,” said Trinity African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church Reverend Daryell Jackson. “We now have to continue to not let our guard down and be observant of everything that goes on around us.”

On Sunday afternoon, Salt Lake City police said they were called to the Trinity African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church to investigate vandalism and a potential bias crime.

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