Palm Springs Church Hit Four Times This Month
If there is anything Pastor Dave Hotelling knows, it’s forgiveness.
“We’re not seeking revenge on the guy,” he said. “We’d like to help him if we could.”
Someone broke into his church four times this month: December 11, 12, 18 and 28. The Palm Springs Baptist Church is located at the corner of El Cielo Rd. and Escoba Dr.
Parishoners cannot believe it. “This is God’s house!” said church member Helen Dacanay-Epstein. “How could you do such a thing in God’s house?”
The suspect stole computers, laser color printers, a projector and a photocopier.
Every office in the administrative building was hit, including the business office and the workroom.
On Wednesday, the church installed an alarm system.
But, the thefts are affecting the church staffers’ work. Administrative assistant Robin Newell is working on her own personal laptop.
“This is my bulletin which is really a template that I plug new info into. It takes about an hour. I’ve already spent two hours trying to reformat this and get it to work,” she said.
No one knows who is doing this or why. But, the church believes whoever is behind the break-ins must be desperate for money.
Pastor Dave says he hopes the police catch the suspect before God does.
Police is seeking the public’s help in identifying those connected with the burglaries.
If you have any information, call the Palm Springs Police Department at (760) 323-8115 or make an anonymous tip at (760) 341-STOP. You may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
