KALAMAZOO TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Roughly $5,000 worth of cash and electronics—and even candy meant for the kids—were stolen from North Park Reformed Church last week.
Pastor Paul Fazio said the burglars broke into the church through a basement door and ransacked the office overnight Thursday, Oct. 27 between 3 and 5 a.m. Fazio said he suspects the thieves spent quite a bit of time inside before making a getaway.
In all, Fazio says several televisions, DVD and VCR players and other electronics, along with cash and food were taken.
“As crazy as it sounds they took all the candy that I have for kids,” Fazio told FOX 17. “They took quite a bit of stuff.”
Pastor Paul Fazio said the burglars kicked in a basement door of the church to get inside.
But beyond material items, Fazio said the thieves also took the church community’s sense of security.
“Church should be a safe place,” he said. “It’s going to take some time; we’ll get over it and we’ll get through it but I just hope that we can be better neighbors.”
Fazio said the church prides itself on being part of the community, but admits that comes at a cost and funds will now be even tighter heading into a crucial period of time during the holidays.
“That cost can impact things like outreach meals where we feed 2,000 people on Thanksgiving, or camp scholarships for underprivileged kids who go free because we sponsor them,” he said.
“In a world where we spend a lot of money, you have to replace things and I don’t think people realize the impact these situations can have.”
