HOUSTON — If it smells like heaven at Old River United Methodist Church, you can thank the volunteers working on the brisket for a fundraiser. The church needs to raise a lot of money because its air conditioning units were ripped up and destroyed.
"It’s an expensive thing for a church," says John Aikey, a church trustee. "It’s a big distraction from the thing we do. We’re here to serve the neighborhood."
Thieves took apart six air conditioning units on the church property, a $13,000 loss.
"We’ve prayed for the people who stole this stuff. It’s really disgraceful," Aikey said.
It’s a Grinch-like crime against a tight-knit congregation.
"It’s horrible and it’s sad, especially right here at Christmas time," said church member Aaron Williams. "Churches are struggling like everyone else and trying to help those in need and it just makes it all harder all the way around."
Law enforcement agencies in the Houston area say copper theft is on the rise again, because the price of copper has gone up.
The church will be selling barbecue to raise money for new air conditioning units. They’re hoping criminals don’t spoil their plans. A few nights ago, someone stole five briskets from the church.
