Crime & Safety

Copper Thieves Twice Strike Church in City of Stone Mountain

Suspects cut a gas line at St. Paul A.M.E Church during most recent theft in December.

in the City of Stone Mountain has been hit by copper-stealing thieves twice in recent times, with the last theft in December involving cutting a gas line.

"Gas escaped when we turned the heat up," Rev. Orea Parker explained to Patch Tuesday night, following the Stone Mountain City Council's regular business meeting. "It [the church] could have exploded while we were there."

Previously, copper thieves targeted the air conditioning units at the church, Rev. Parker said.

Find out what's happening in Stone Mountain-Lithoniawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There have been other thefts of copper at churches in metro Atlanta, including at on Rockbridge Road just before Christmas, and on Lilburn-Stone Mountain Road.

said there are two suspects in the St. Paul crimes -- one has been interviewed -- but no one in custody yet.

Find out what's happening in Stone Mountain-Lithoniawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

One of the problems in catching the perpetrators is that the thieves use a middleman to sell the copper, making it tough to get to the source, he said.

Troutman, who said his own church also has been hit by copper thieves, has suggested that churches get alarm systems as soon as possible, and city council members urge reporting suspicious activity to authorities.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.