JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Church service went on as scheduled inside One Accord Ministries International this morning, but outside, there's plenty of evidence of wrongdoing.
"I came out to find out that the copper part of this unit was taken. They cut the copper out real nice and neatly," said church Bishop Jan Goodman, Sr.
The trouble doesn't end with that one A/C unit. A second unit was completely dismantled and stripped of it's copper.
The thefts took place between Thursday night and Friday morning. The thief or thieves managed to get past a locked gate and barbed wire fence.
"It still kind of surprises you that people will take opportunities to vandalize the church knowing that it's God's house," said church member Billy Starke.
According to JSO, the number of A/C theft victims over the past two years exceed the 3,700 mark with a 40 percent increase expected this year.
Replacing the units is expensive.
"It's always a few thousands and it's no chump change," said Goodman.
The Sheriff's Office is asking the city council to beef up local scrap metal laws. One request is to require recyclers submit daily electronic records of purchases and make those purchases with checks, no cash.
It's believed the changes would help cut down on thefts.
"They took their time and meticulously went through this and dismantled it and it had to be some people, not just one person," said Goodman.
As for One Accord, this isn't the first time the church has been hit. Two units in the back of the church are now gated and protected because of thefts just a year ago.
Bishop Goodman thought the ones in front would be fine with them facing busy Interstate-10.
"No matter what we do, whatever the enemy wants to do, he can do it, but the whole thing is how we respond to what he does," said Goodman.
Church leaders are responding with kindness and offering some words for those responsible.
"If that person is watching, we do pray that you would get your life right," said Starke.
First Coast News