Authorities on high alert following church theft

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department is on alert after a break-in at a local church on Saturday.

According to authorities, the heating and cooling unit was stolen at Bethel Baptist Church on Franklin 79 near the Marion County line.

Most likely, whoever was involved in the break-in was interested in the copper wiring found inside the unit, officials said.

This break-in follows a string of similar church break-ins in Marion County recently where heating and cooling units have been stolen.

This is the second copper-related theft to occur in the Franklin County area in the last week.

The FCSD has been in contact with Marion County in an effort to prevent more related break-ins from occurring in Franklin County.

“Churches need to be aware of this situation, especially churches in isolated areas,” Franklin County Sheriff Larry Plott said.

A reward is being offered by the FCSD for information leading to an arrest in this case.