Thief spreads fear and frustration at one Augusta church

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A church thief is at it again.

The church off Mike Padgett Highway in far south Augusta is dealing with a thief who’s repeatedly striking.

Lawnmowers, bricks and more are disappearing from the church.

Pastor Mark Barnwell of Fielding Spring Missionary Baptist Church says the thief had hit their place of worship four times already.

The wooden fence was never part of the blueprints for Fielding Spring Missionary Baptist Church, but now Barnwell says with a repetitive thief on the run, they are now using emergency funds to keep people off the property. But he’s worried it may not be enough.

They’ve caught him on camera time and time again.

“We have cameras all around the whole church inside and outside. You can come on but we will see you,” said Barnwell.

On the night of April 5, a lawnmower was stolen that was a gift to the church. Then, on April 6 in broad daylight, a Chevy Silverado with a gold top, black bottom and damage to the enger side front fender was back. This time he brought help to take a pallet of bricks.

But they haven’t been able to identify those in the pickup truck.

“This is an individual, in my opinion, that is very dangerous because he doesn’t fear God. So, if you don’t fear God, he doesn’t fear the local authority as well and this individual was a danger to our community,” said Barnwell.

Police reports show the thief came back a third time, on April 16, for more bricks, nearly hitting a church member in his path.

“The persistence, he continued to come back, show no regard for the Lord’s property or God’s people. If he’s that brazen, he can come back while we’re in service. You see he’s showing up during the daytime, at night time, so he could be here while we’re rehearsing or having choir rehearsal putting my in danger and that bothers me,” said Barnwell.

For now, a new fence runs across the entire property blocking off any visitors.

Barnwell says with the church recently paid off, the future construction the bricks will be used for is on hold until they can get them back.

“You’re gonna get caught. There’s no way you’re going to get away with it. God bless you. We’re gonna still pray for you. But we want you to come to justice and we want justice to be done,” said Barnwell.

Barnwell is calling on the community for help. Police reports show the truck is a 2007-2008 Chevy Silverado with a gold top, black bottom and damage to the right front fender.

It’s a frequent visitor in the Mike Padgett Highway area. If you see this vehicle, call the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.