CHARLESTON, Ark. — Charleston police are investigating a reported burglary at First Assembly of God in Franklin County, and Pastor Darnell Johnson said thieves targeted his congregation, trashing the sanctuary, and stealing instruments.
Instruments used for worship including guitars and the piano were missing from the stage at the front of the sanctuary. Pastor Johnson said, "We don't know why it happened ... [the instruments] were personal to the people who played them."
The $1000 reward is for help locating a vintage mahogany red electric guitar, a light blue fender, and a seafoam green left-handed guitar.
One of the missing guitars is especially sentimental to Pastor Johnson— a gift from his father after he passed away, owned for nearly three decades.
"My dad was a musician most of his life, and before he passed he gave me his guitar that he had played for many years. I always kept it here at the church, playing it occasionally ... That's the one I'd like to have back the most," said Johnson.
The church said they think the thieves used a crowbar on the church's back door to break in
As Charleston police investigate the break-in, the church said "They're working with pawnshops and different places to see if anything has come in, and they're checking for cameras in this area."
Despite this setback, the mission continues. Pastor Johnson said the congregation will gather for Wednesday night service with praise and worship just as planned.
"Everybody's pulling together and pitching in. We've got lots of friends, and a lot of the churches are contacting us, saying we've got instruments that they're not using and we're welcome to them ... It'll turn out alright," said Pastor Johnson.
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