JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A local security company is assisting several churches in Northwest Jacksonville who experienced multiple break-ins.
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A pillar of the community for decades became the target of a brazen break-in. Elder Arthur Parker and his wife arrived Sunday morning to find Breakthrough Center church had been violated.
“We came in and noticed a lot of equipment was missing. Our big speaker, monitors, and even our TVs were gone,” Elder Arthur Parker said.
Nickey Kelley, the executive pastor said they never had any break-ins or issues.
“Before, people used to fear, people didn’t used to want to smoke or drink in front of churches, but to more or less break in churches. It brings about a concern, not just a feeling, just a concern,” Kelley said.
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Thankfully, the church had recently installed security cameras, capturing footage of the intruders, but a church member expressed frustration.
“There was more than one person involved, and it’s hard to understand how they closed the case with just one arrest,” the church member said.
Despite the arrest, the church has yet to recover any of their stolen items.
“It’s heartbreaking,” another member said. “We try to help the community, and then this happens.”
The incident has prompted the church to beef up security, but the pain of the break-in lingers.
“We forgive them and pray that they find peace,” another church member said.
About 200 yards away sits Emmanuel Love Fellowship, the church of Kelly’s sister, Pastor Kathy Parker. Her church was burglarized too.
Security cameras caught two people walking through the sanctuary and through her office door.
“It’s hard, it’s sad, it’s heartbreaking,” Parker said. “You try to build and help people, and then you have people that come and do stuff like this, it’s like my God, what is going through their heads? If you need help, ask.”
Since the churches were hit, Godly Security Agency has provided assistance.
“He’s been trying to enlighten the pastors of what they should have with their churches, cameras, security cameras, alarm systems, whatever that can detour or slow up the process,” Parker said.
Despite the arrest of 35-year-old Jose Ortiz, none of the stolen items have been returned.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said there were two burglaries in the Pickettville area and none were related to the churches.
“The arrest of Mr. Ortiz cleared several burglaries - if he had an accomplice, or another continues where he left off, we would most certainly want to know about it and bring this suspect’s actions to the same resolution,” a spokesperson said.
JSO is asking anyone with information to reach out to them or CrimeStoppers.