MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Members of the choir at Bethesda Church Ministries went to the northwest Miami-Dade County church Tuesday night for choir practice, only to find that the church had been burglarized.
Members of the congregation said $30,000 to $40,000 worth of equipment was stolen from the church at 14120 NW Seventh Ave., including microphones and instruments.
"When we came in yesterday, everybody was crying because it's a tough time. We are a church," Romelito Charles said.
People at the church said guitars, microphones and a keyboard were among the items taken from inside a room that the youth choir uses, and more guitars, drums and microphones were taken from a second room where smaller services are held. A fan was even ripped out from the room.
"That's the lowest of the low, to steal from a church that really helps the community," Charles said.
Members of the congregation called the police when they arrived to find a side door open, but there are no obvious signs of a forced entry.
Church members said they hope the thieves have mercy and return what is not rightfully theirs.
"Hopefully God will touch their heart and they will at least bring the subwoofer, (or) at least the speakers," Charles said.
The Pentecostal church has 3,400 members. They said the burglary will not make them cancel their big Sunday service, but this Sunday will be a lot different without at least their speaker and microphone.
Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.