from seattlepi.com

Spokane Valley police bust church theft ring

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Valley detectives say they have busted a ring responsible for thefts at more than 30 area churches.

Detective Kirk Keyser told The Spokesman-Review officers raided three homes Thursday, arrested three men, recovered TVs, computers and other equipment and seized OxyContin, crack cocaine and methamphetamine.

Keyser says over the last several months, people would visit a church and ask to talk with the pastor. After the visit, church officials would find purses, wallets and laptop computers missing.

Police says the thieves would use stolen credit cards to buy electronics they would trade for drugs.