SAVOY TX--Copper thefts have caused millions of dollars worth of damage to homes and businesses around Texoma over the past few years; a local church has now become the target of copper thieves.

For a small Church like Melvin United Methodist the damage caused by copper thieves will be hard to repair, but as the pastor of the church told us the most difficult part of last night’s break in has little to do with the physical damage.

"I happen to be speaking on the seven deadly sins and the seven deadly virtues, and this week is wrath and patience," said Pastor Eric Rothe.
He serves two congregations, The First United Methodist Church in Whitewright, and Marvin United Methodist a few miles away. Last night vandals broke into the church, stealing copper pipe and causing a lot of damage.

"We will be able to worship Sunday, probably without heat though," said Rothe.

Sheriff Kenneth Moore says the amount of copper thefts has a lot to do with copper prices.

"It is an ebb and flow, it seems like over the past few years with the price of copper so high the amount of thefts is astronomical," said Moore.

Besides the burglary of the church two vehicles were also stolen from a nearby home, Sheriff Moore says drug abuse is probably the most likely motivation for the crimes.

"85 to 87 percent of all thefts are narcotics related," said Moore.

Pastor Rothe says he understands what the victims of last night’s theft are going through.

"But I also have some sympathy and my prayers go out to those who committed these crimes, they were obviously acting out of great desperation," said Rothe.

While the full extent of the damage and the cost to repair it is still unknown, pastor Rothe believes everything will be alright in the end.

"We try to be there for our community and I think it will all work out, and that our community will be there for us," said Rothe.