Pastor David Sorenson at Northstar Baptist Church in Duluth thinks somebody out there must know where the church's big white school bus is.
'It's not something you can hide very easily. It's big and it's white with a big blue stripe that has our name on it," Sorenson said.
The bus - one of two at the church; the other is similar in appearance - was stolen sometime late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, after it had made its rounds delivering church youth home after Wednesday night church activities.
"They tried to hot-wire our other bus, too, but couldn't do it. But I don't think this is just kids out for a joy ride. You have to know what you are doing to hot-wire a Caterpillar diesel engine," Sorenson said.
The white bus is a 1996 Blue Bird body on a Chevrolet chassis.
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The 66-passenger bus had been parked in the church parking lot at 1315 South Arlington Ave., not far from Lake Superior College in Duluth.
The stolen vehicle was reported to Duluth police Thursday, but so far it hasn't been found.
"I think someone probably took it to make into their hunting shack ... so they could kind of hide it away," Sorenson said. "How else could you take a big bus like that and not be seen?"
Sorenson said he also reported the theft to the church's insurance company, Church Mutual.
"They said it was unusual. They hadn't ever heard of a full sized church bus being stolen before," he said.
Anyone who sees the missing bus is asked to call Duluth police at 911 or (218) 730-5400, or call the church at (218) 726-0209.
