Police: Audio Equipment Valued At Thousands Of Dollars Stolen From Wilkinsburg Church
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WILKINSBURG (KDKA) – Police are investigating after someone broke into a church in Wilkinsburg and stole thousands of dollars' worth of audio equipment.
According to police, the incident happened at the Bible Chapel Church on Ross Avenue last Saturday.
According to Pastor Dave DiDonato, the thief seemed to know exactly how to break in.
"He made a precision cut so he didn't break through the glass to get through the basement window, and once he got in, of course, he had free reign to get in and out of our door," DiDonato said.
But what this guy apparently did not know was that the church has numerous surveillance cameras, and one of them was pointed at him as he walked through the building, scoping out the place with a flashlight.
Police describe the suspect as a fair-skinned black male with keen features. He was about 35-years-old, 5-feet-7-inches to 5-feet-9-inches tall with a semi well-groomed beard and goatee.
"He checked all of our classrooms," said DiDonato. "We are thankful they were all locked. We saw him trying to get through one, and the only place where he could have free reign was up here in our worship center."
Music is major part of the service, so, once in the worship center, the thief managed to take the church's soundboard, three cameras, six microphones and other miscellaneous electronic and technical equipment.
"This is expensive stuff, and for the first few years, we were using what we could, and were blessed by a community that allowed us to purchase some really good equipment as we continued to grow here," said DiDonato. "This was good stuff that was taken."
DiDonato says he is thankful he did not recognize the thief as a church member or someone he knows in the community. However, he does have one thing to say to the person responsible.
"We are hopeful that we get our equipment back. I do want to say we already forgive him. If I could even talk to him, I would tell him I forgive him, and hopefully, this incident could change his life."
Wilkinsburg Police say if you recognize the guy in the video, give them a call at 412-244-2919 (x121) to give an anonymous tip, or call the Wilkinsburg Police desk at 412-244-2913.
