July 21, 2010

The Fluvanna County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the burglary of the Effort Baptist Church, near Lake Monticello. (view a map of the area)

Sometime during the late night hours of Tuesday or the early morning hours Wednesday, unidentified persons reportedly forced entry into one of the church buildings and stole thousands of dollars worth of musical instruments, audio production equipment and stage lighting.

Church band member Beth Clatterbuck shows CBS19 how the perpetrators forced entry using a crowbar. Then they likely made their way to the audio booth and stage where they stole guitars, a keyboard and other expensive items. The church estimates a total of $50,000 worth of equipment was stolen.

"I was shocked when I found out," Clatterbuck says. "Especially when you look at how much money it all adds up to be."

However, the church band members scrambled to find last minute equipment for Wednesday night's service. They were able to play and praise using borrowed instruments.

"It just shows," Clatterbuck continues. "That you can strip away everything but you can't strip away our spirit."

Anyone with any information relating to this burglary is encouraged to call the Fluvanna County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 434-589-8211 or the Jefferson Area Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000.

A cash reward of up to $1,000 may be available for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.