Church services were held at Pioneer Baptist Church Sunday, but only after its members spent several hours Saturday cleaning up a mess of graffiti and vandalism in the sanctuary caused by burglars.
Shawnee police responded to the church at 519 W. Farrall about 9:22 a.m. Saturday. Pastor Chuck Bascue told officers he locked the church about 10 p.m. Friday night and found it vandalized Saturday morning.
A police report by Cpl. Shawn Parsons shows he observed spray paint all over the walls of sanctuary, as well as on the Baptismal and pews of the church. Police found the point of entry for the break-in and documented all the damage.
Sgt. Mason Wilson fingerprinted several areas of the church and he and Cpl. Robert Stewart followed leads on the case. Cpl. Dan Shumaker and Parsons collected evidence at the scene.
There were several words, ranging from profane words to reported gang sayings, that were spray painted on the walls.
Several items, including microphones, speakers, tools and an amplifier, were reported stolen.
Bascue said church members used several coats of primer paint to cover the spray paint graffiti. In addition to that mess, the burglars and vandals used a fire extinguisher inside, leaving white powder all over the place.
Everything inside the church had to be painted or washed down, Bascue said.
The pastor said the church has had burglaries in the past, but this is the first time such a vandalism has occurred.
If police can identify the suspect or suspects responsible, Bascue said the church plans to prosecute.
The case was forwarded to Shawnee detectives and remains under investigation.
Anyone with information can call police at 273-2121 or the Gang Task Force tip line at 878-1570.
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Kim Morava may be reached at 214-3962.
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Church services were held at Pioneer Baptist Church Sunday, but only after its members spent several hours Saturday cleaning up a mess of graffiti and vandalism in the sanctuary caused by burglars.
Shawnee police responded to the church at 519 W. Farrall about 9:22 a.m. Saturday. Pastor Chuck Bascue told officers he locked the church about 10 p.m. Friday night and found it vandalized Saturday morning.
A police report by Cpl. Shawn Parsons shows he observed spray paint all over the walls of sanctuary, as well as on the Baptismal and pews of the church. Police found the point of entry for the break-in and documented all the damage.
Sgt. Mason Wilson fingerprinted several areas of the church and he and Cpl. Robert Stewart followed leads on the case. Cpl. Dan Shumaker and Parsons collected evidence at the scene.
There were several words, ranging from profane words to reported gang sayings, that were spray painted on the walls.
Several items, including microphones, speakers, tools and an amplifier, were reported stolen.
Bascue said church members used several coats of primer paint to cover the spray paint graffiti. In addition to that mess, the burglars and vandals used a fire extinguisher inside, leaving white powder all over the place.
Everything inside the church had to be painted or washed down, Bascue said.
The pastor said the church has had burglaries in the past, but this is the first time such a vandalism has occurred.
If police can identify the suspect or suspects responsible, Bascue said the church plans to prosecute.
The case was forwarded to Shawnee detectives and remains under investigation.
Anyone with information can call police at 273-2121 or the Gang Task Force tip line at 878-1570.
———
Kim Morava may be reached at 214-3962.
