Thou shalt not steal and church is making sure

Fala Sakaria with his car that was targeted. Photo / Dean Purcell

A West Auckland church is planning to have people on security patrols during Sunday services after thieves broke into churchgoers' cars over Easter.

The thieves smashed their way into two vehicles in the Massey Samoan Congregational Christian Church carpark on Sunday, while churchgoers were inside.

The incident happened around 5.30pm during an Easter service.

One vehicle's passenger window was smashed, and a wallet, money, mobile phone and an e-ticket to Samoa were taken.

The other car was also damaged, but an alarm scared the burglars off.

This is the third time the church has been a target for thieves.

Extra lighting and an alarm system were installed in the church pre-school centre after thieves got in last year.

In January thieves broke into the church, stealing a laptop, printer and a computer from the minister's office.

The church's $20,000 organ was dragged towards the door, but was apparently too heavy to take.

The Rev Apisaloma Ali'inu'u Apisaloma said yesterday it was disheartening to know that thieves were continually targeting the church.

"As a result of what's happened we're going to be looking at having people guarding the carpark during the service," Mr Apisaloma said. "It's a big move but it has become necessary."

Churchgoer Fala Sakaria has had his Ford Mondeo less than a week.

"I was sitting in the choir when this kid runs up to me and tells me that one of the windows to my car is smashed - I thought he was joking."

Mr Sakaria, a father of one, said it was only when the service had finished that he realised his vehicle was not the only one damaged.

He believed more vehicles would have been damaged had the thieves not gone for his car, which had an alarm system.

"I was in shock. I just couldn't believe someone could steal from a church carpark."

Two teenagers, wearing black and white and with Nike bags, were seen jumping a fence behind the church.

Anyone with information can contact the Henderson police on (09) 839-0600 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.