BY JULIE IRWIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A burglar has been preying on churches in Pleasant Ridge in recent weeks, stealing everything from VCRs to donated medical equipment. Cincinnati police say the thief has broken into at least five churches since July 24, with several of them hit more than once. The five -- St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Pleasant Ridge United Methodist Church, Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, All Saints Episcopal Church and Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church -- are near the intersection of Ridge and Montgomery roads and are within walking distance.
Nativity had three break-ins in three consecutive weeks. Stolen items included cassette players, VCRs, a boom box and loose cash. The thief also took 15 candy bars and the Rev. Robert Farrell's pyx, the vessel in which he carries consecrated communion hosts to the sick. Heavier, more expensive equipment such as computers was left behind.
At St. Peter's, the burglar took 5,500 aspirin, 5,500 Tylenol, antacids, vitamins and other medical supplies. Neighborhood children attending the church's fine arts camp had collected the supplies to send to a hospital in Sierra Leone.
"I talked to a couple of the kids Sunday morning. They were pretty despondent," said the Rev. Mendle Adams, pastor of St. Peter's. The Cincinnati Police Division is investigating the crimes, but no arrests have been made. Police think the thefts are the work of a single burglar.
