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Vandals damage southwest Houston church
Two young men were caught causing damage on surveillance cameras spending 90 minutes at a Bethel's Place Empowerment Center in southwest Houston.
HOUSTON - Bethel's Place Empowerment Center at 12660 Sandpiper Drive has been a fixture in one southwest side Houston neighborhood for 30 years.
The huge church is known for giving back to the community.
That's what makes it so hard to understand how two young men wearing masks could treat Bethel's like a demolition derby.
In surveillance video, you can see the two men walking across the parking lot at around 3 a.m. Thursday morning.
They used a crowbar to break through a back door leading into the food pantry.
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Edgar White, Facility Manager for Bethel's family, says the pair focused on vandalism, destroying both the security alarm and fire alarms.
"Doors were busted. Coke machines were open," White said.
He believes the pair was after money.
They only got about a thousand dollars, but White estimates they caused $100,000 in damage.
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He says he's surprised the thieves spent an hour and a half inside the church.
"Burglars kind of go in and come out," White said. "I wonder if they had a sense of comfort or something."
"Break in an hour and a half, just walk around, and do whatever you're going to do for someone that helps the community," said church member Dr. Schuwan Dorsey. "If you wanted something, my pastor, Walter August Jr., he will give it to you. He's a giving man, so if you need something, come and ask."
"We would definitely love to talk with them and pray with them," White said.
Anyone with information on the break-in should call Houston Police or Crime Stoppers.
The Source: FOX 26 Reporter Randy Wallace spoke with church officials about what happened.