Burglars Target West Haven Churches

Police are searching for the people who have burglarized three West Haven churches over the past week.

According to West Haven police, thieves have recently broken into the Christ Christian Church on Fenwick Street, the Vertical Church on Meloy Road and the Promise Land Church on Burwell Road.

The suspects have stolen mostly small items and petty cash, police said.

Elder Mike Yannes, of the Vertical Church, said the burglary at his worship center happened sometime Monday night or Tuesday morning. The culprits stole $1,000 in cash, including donations and money from the cash register at the church cafe.

"Thankfully, there was no vandalism. There was no damage to the facility short of a couple of broken windows," Yannes said. "As frustrating as it is that somebody broke into the place, hopefully, maybe, we can help them as well."

Pastor Ryan Trawick of Promise Land Church said the first building alarm went off at 1:30 a.m. Thursday when an intruder broke through a double-paneled window.

"We don't know why he would come in here. It wasn't easy to get into this window," Trawick explained. "What puzzles me is that they left with nothing. They left empty-handed."

Trawick said the cost to repair the broken window will be significant but believes the burglar alarm scared off the intruder before more damage was done.

"A church is a place of refuge and hope," he said. "It's a place you want to come to and receive healing from the broken things in your life."

Meanwhile, Yannes is encouraging those in need to ask for help instead of acting out of desperation.

"If they would have just come in... If they were struggling or having issues, come knock on our front door and ask us for help," he said.

Residents who live near the targeted churches or have any information on the burglaries are urged to call West Haven police at 203-937-3900.

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