Vandals Strip Church of Copper

LAS VEGAS --?A church under construction was hit by copper thieves this week, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

St. George Romanian Orthodox Church at Charleston and Jones boulevards was being built using mostly funds from the congregation. The thieves destroyed a $7,000 air conditioning unit on the roof for copper that was worth about $30. They also damaged wiring at the church to get at the copper. The church now has no electricity.

There are six more air conditioning units on the roof that church leaders are worried might also be damaged. The church said it does not have any money for surveillance cameras and other security measures.?

The small congregation of 75 members held monthly luncheons and collected donations so they could build their church.

"How can I not be upset when they come over here and rip these things off?" said Panta Stanciu, church member and builder. "This unit cost $4,000 and they come here and rip it off for $20."

Lia Roberts, another member of the church who heads up the parish council, said the thefts began about 6 months ago. She said the thieves have tested the congregation's patience but their faith remains strong.

"We wonder what kind of people they are who come and do something like this," Roberts said. "Obviously not only lawless, but godless as well."

Panta and the rest of the congregation will press on with their faith and dreams to finish the church.

The church has filed a police report but there are no suspects, according to investigators. The church has also installed security systems as the building is about 80 percent done.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/lasvegasnow/homepage/~3/hYnm7k-wL8U/vandals-strip-church-of-copper

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