Norway church burglarized

NORWAY —  The Oxford Hills Christian Fellowship was burglarized recently, a sign that the iniquity of man is getting worse and worse, according to a report from the church. 

According to Norway Police Chief Robert Federico, the incident happened some time between Thursday, August 23 at 2 p.m. and Saturday, August 25 at 8:25 a.m.  

The church is located at 10 Country Club Road in Norway. 

The burglary was initially discovered on August 25 by an OHCF member who was going to the church to do some work around 8:30 a.m., according to the church's report. 

According to Federico, the perpetrators stole computer equipment, a drum set and a safe. 

Federico confirmed that the thieves had apparently entered into the rear handicap entrance of the building.

"A Toshiba laptop and keyboard were stolen from [a secured projection cabinet on] the first floor, along with a complete drum set which is blue," said Federico. 

"In the basement office and Sunday school area, file cabinets were gone through and a door was forced open," he said. 

According to Federico, a new Hewlett-Packard desktop computer, monitor and keyboard were stolen, along with a safe described as approximately 18-by-20 inches. 

He said a cash box was also discovered open on an office chair. "However, it is unknown at this time, if there is any cash or checks missing, or what the contents of the safe were," said Federico. 

Norway Police responded to the call. Federico said that when police checked the parking lot, "there appeared to be truck-type tires with a clover leaf center pattern," he said. According to the police report, it is unknown whether the tire marks are related to the incident. 

Police then went around the neighborhood asking church neighbors if they had witnessed anything unusual happen.

"It turned up no information," said Federico, "nothing unusual was seen or heard throughout the time-frame of Thursday to Saturday." 

Police were provided with computer serial numbers to track down the stolen items, according to the church's report. 

The report also states that serial numbers are being provided to their usual sources by police. According to Federico, the computers will most likely be recovered if they ever make it through any local shops. 

Anyone with knowledge of the August 25 burglary is encouraged to contact the Norway Police Department at 743-5303.