The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating break-ins at two De Soto-area churches that appear related.
One of the incidents occurred between 9 p.m. Nov. 21 and 9:30 a.m. Nov. 23 at De Soto Church of Christ, 4523 Hwy. 110, and the other one happened between 8:30 p.m. Nov. 18 and 12:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at De Soto Apostolic Church, 4501 Hwy. 110, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
Authorities don’t know how the culprit got into the De Soto Church of Christ, but on Nov. 23, a church member found his office ransacked and the laptop missing from his desk. Upon walking through the church, he found a podium knocked over and items thrown into a baptismal pool, the report said.
The church member then went to the basement and discovered a broken window and spray paint on multiple doors and windows. He also observed a powder residue from a fire extinguisher on the carpet. Other items were stolen or vandalized, and the value of the stolen items and damage to the church was estimated at $10,000, according to the report.
At the De Soto Apostolic Church, entry was gained by forcing open a side door. Nothing was stolen, but there was damage to the jamb on the door that was forced open and on carpet near the door, where a burn mark was spotted. The damage was estimated at $250, the report said.
Investigators found a broken computer and a first-aid bag at De Soto Apostolic Church they believe came from the burglary at the De Soto Church of Christ. In addition, they found a whiskey bottle and keys at the scene, according to the report.
As of Nov. 29, there were no arrests, Sgt. Matthew Moore said. Anyone with information about the incidents is urged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 636-797-5515.