GASTONIA, N.C. — Gastonia Police are investigating after someone broke into a church and stole $4,350 worth of equipment this past week.
Investigators said the break-in happened at Christ Church Gastonia Mission right off I-85 Exit 19 for Ozark Avenue.
Pastor Vincent Ross, first discovered the break-in Wednesday afternoon when he noticed a television, audio equipment, and a keyboard went missing.
"It's evidence of brokenness," Ross said. "It's evidence of a need for service; need for ministry, and that's why we're here."
The church is the latest house of worship in the Charlotte region to become a crime scene.
Since the start of the year, thieves have broken into parishioners' cars during Sunday services at four Lancaster County churches, and they've stolen catalytic converters off church vans in Charlotte and Cleveland County.
As the church upgrades its security, Pastor Ross said he would welcome whoever stole from the church to services this Sunday.
"We would welcome that person to come and bring [the items] back," he said. "If possible, we probably wouldn't even press charges, if there's a heart of repentance there."