Arrests made in metal thefts from Isle of Wight churches
Published 11:31 am Wednesday, March 19, 2014
ISLE OF WIGHT—Four Surry County residents were arrested Sunday on charges connected to the thefts of air conditioning units and other property from Isle of Wight County churches this past December, said Kristen Wilda, spokeswoman for the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office. Isle of Wight investigators worked in collaboration with the Surry County Sheriff’s Office on the case.
The following suspects all lived on the 8900 block of Colonial Trail in Surry at the time of their alleged offenses:
• John Anthony Edwards, 29. Charges: Four counts grand larceny; four counts possession of stolen property with intent to sell
• Amy Christine Spencer, 35. Charges: Three counts grand larceny; three counts possession of stolen property with intent to sell
• Jason Eric Sawyer, 36. Charges: Three counts grand larceny; three counts possession of stolen property with intent to sell
• Jennifer Lynn Gibson, 31. Charges: Four counts possession of stolen property with intent to sell
In addition, other property was also taken to be disassembled and sold to scrap yards.
Capt. Rick Gaddis of the IOW Sheriff’s Office said none of the metals were recovered.
The following churches had their HVAC units stolen: Bethany United Methodist Church, Union Bethel AME Church, Smithfield; and Mill Swamp Baptist Church, Ivor.
The Moonlight Hunt Club was also targeted.