Thieves Hit River First United Methodist Twice In Two Days

The suffered a break-in this morning, the second in as many days, losing $20,000 in computers and equipment and a sonogram of Pastor Rebecca Lambert's baby. 

The incidents may also cost the community the services and dedicated volunteers of the church. "At least this week, we're going to shut down all services," said Charles Hilton, financial secretary for the church.

Those services include Sunday Morning Services, Life Groups every other Wednesday night and every other Friday night, Gardening Group Saturdays, an Emergency Food Pantry Tuesdays and Thursdays and a Clothing Closet on the same days.

The first break-in occurred yesterday at about 1:30 p.m., Hilton said, while the staff was at lunch. Hilton said he believes someone at the church earlier in the day propped open a door and entered the church, stealing a computer, amp and mixer board and miscellaneous equipment. "Whoever came in knew our schedule," Hilton said.

They discovered the second break-in this morning. This time, a thief broke a window and stole several more computers, a CD player and equipment. Hilton said he is still putting together a list of the stolen items, but the cost to replace the things he knows are missing will be at least $20,000.

Hilton also noted Pastor Lambert has been threatened on facebook. "We believe this is a personal attack," he said. A sonogram of Pastor Lambert's baby is also among the missing items.

This is the third time this year the church has been broken into, Hilton said, but there is a history of theft from the church, by people he says aren't considering the damage they're doing to the community as a whole. People rely on the church's resources, he said, for meals they can't afford for themselves, training and even proper clothes to attend job interviews.

Despite the good they're doing for the city, Hilton said, they're reconsidering providing services at the church. "We can't continually allow people to treat us as victims," Hilton said.

Anyone with information about the break-ins can call Woonsocket Police at (401) 766-1212 or the Woonsocket Police Department's anonymous tip line at 401 769-4444.