Wednesday, Feb. 03, 2010

Authorities arrest 2 in church theft

The Wake County Sheriff's Office has arrested two men on charges of stealing about $80,000 worth of copper piping from a Garner-area church last week.

Deputies responded to a call on Jan. 27 from Holland United Methodist Church, which is at 9433 Ten-Ten Road. Coiling from the church's heating and air system had been stolen, said Phyllis Stephens, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office.

Donnie Gene Redd Jr, 27, of 8020 Daddy Road in Raleigh was charged with larceny and obtaining property by false pretense, which are felonies, and misdemeanor unlawful transport of copper, according to the sheriff's office. He was jailed under a $55,000 bond.

Kristopher Sean Bennett, 19, of 2901 E. Garner Road in Garner was charged with aiding and abetting and obtaining property by false pretense, which are felonies. He was jailed under a $5,000 bond.

Authorities are also investigating a theft at another local church. The sheriff's office responded to a call on Jan. 6 at McCuller's Community Baptist Church at 133 Rand Road in Garner. About $20,000 worth of coppper piping was missing from the church, Stephens said.