Wednesday, May. 14, 2008

Air conditioning units stolen from churches

Russell County Sheriff's investigators have identified three suspects in a series of air conditioning unit and copper thefts.

Justin Bernard Smith and Gregory Parnell Goode have been arrested and charged with theft; officers are still looking for the the third man, Joshua Bernard Sellers.

The charges stem from incidents of thefts at churches and an old school that were reported over the past several months.The locations of the thefts include:

-- St. Luke AME Church, Hatchechubee. Three air conditioning units, valued at $6,000, were taken. --Friendship Baptist Church, Hatchechubee. Two air conditioning units, valued at $5,000, were taken --Mt. Arrie's Baptist Church, Hatchechubee. Two air conditioning units, valued at $5,000, were taken. --Greater Mount Hebron Baptist Church, Seale. Two air conditioning units, valued at $5,000, were taken. --Antioch Baptist Church, Pittsview. Two air conditioning units, valued at $5,000, were taken. --Pittsview School, Pittsview. One air conditioning unit and copper, valued at $25,000, were taken.

Goode, 39, was booked into the Russell County jail on five charges of theft. Smith, 20, was booked into the jail on four counts of theft. Bond was set at $5,000 for each charge.