Suffolk Police Arrest Man in String of Church Burglaries
By Dave Forster, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.
May 30–SUFFOLK — Police on Tuesday announced an arrest in a string of church burglaries that had gotten so bad the “entire department” was helping on the case.
The burglars targeted mostly downtown churches in search of cash, musical instruments and small electronics, Detective J.E. McCarley said. They continued their work in the middle of the night or early morning for six weeks, leaving a trail of broken glass, busted doors and shocked congregations.
The investigation grew to include reports of 16 burglaries or attempted break-ins, including some churches that were hit more than once and some that didn’t lose anything, McCarley said.
“The entire department was working to resolve these burglaries,” said Lt. D.J. George, a police spokeswoman.
A break in the case came Thursday, when Detective Gary Myrick approached a man who was selling electronics from a van on Hall Avenue downtown, George said.
Myrick had already targeted the man as a suspect through his leads in the case. Then he found him hawking items from the van.
“Lo and behold, he had the stuff with (him),” McCarley said.
Police identified the suspect as 44-year-old Larry James Carr, also known as Larry Brown, of the 100 block of Oak St. He was charged with burglaries at five of the churches and a Southern Food Store that had a cash machine stolen from it May 10, George said.
Carr could face more charges if some of the other victimized churches can identify items that police found in his possession, McCarley said. Detectives are still searching for two other suspects in the case, he said.
Some churches have already recovered some of their equipment, but the money they lost is likely gone for good, McCarley said. He estimated that in two cases alone, the churches lost a combined $7,000 in cash and checks.
The most recent burglary happened the night before Carr’s arrest.
“We feel pretty comfortable that they’re going to stop,” McCarley said.
–Reach Dave Forster at (757) 222-5563 or dave.forster@pilotonline.com.
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