The First Congregational Church in Dickinson, N.D., was recently burglarized and what the burglar may not have realized is some of the property stolen belonged to Stark County's assistant state's attorney.
Two speakers, an amplifier and a DVD player were reported stolen from the church Saturday, said Dickinson Police Capt. Dustin Dassinger. However, the items may have been taken earlier last week, he added.
"It was somewhere between Thursday and Saturday, I'm fairly confident," said Janel Kolar, pastor of the church.
The amplifier and a speaker belonged to two of the churches members, Jim and Jackie Hope.
Jim Hope is the county's assistant state's attorney and purchased the equipment in 1984, Jackie Hope said.
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"There were pioneer stereo speakers and an amplifier that, I called them his dowry because when he first moved to town ... he was just out of law school and he didn't have much money and the first thing he bought was this stereo," she said. "When we were dating he would play music on it for me."
She said the stereo was special to them.
"It had real sentimental value and when I took it to church I said 'Oh it's going to be just fine,' and it's gone," Jackie Hope said. "It's just so sad!"
Kolar is also upset over the burglary.
"I feel sad because the things that were taken had that sentimental value -- you can't replace that," Kolar said. "We're very fortunate they didn't destroy the church or, you know, desecrate anything. It could have been a lot worse."
She also feels uneasy about the incident.
"We're definitely going to have to be a lot more careful when we're there," Kolar said. "You hate to be that way. You hate to be suspicious, especially when you're in a church, but I guess that's just how it will have to be."
Entry to the church was not forced and two doors were found unlocked, Dassinger said.
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"It's possible that somebody maybe hid inside while the church was open," he added.
Kolar said the church is locked unless people are there.
"It used to be quite common for churches to be open sanctuaries -- a place where anyone could come and find shelter from a physical or spiritual storm," Kolar said in an e-mail. "Today, that is no longer possible because the respect for sacred spaces has vanished."
She is more upset about having to keep the church locked to prevent theft than the she is about the burglary, she added.
"It seems a sad commentary on what our society has become," Kolar said.
Nothing appeared to be damaged in the church, Dassinger said.
He added the equipment stolen is estimated to be at least $200.
Kolar said the church will be increasing security, changing locks and having new keys made.
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Police have no suspects, Dassinger said.
However, charges have been filed against three people involved in a burglary and two attempted burglaries that occurred in June, Sgt. David Wilkie said.
Kody Kinzel of Dickinson was charged for allegedly burglarizing the Pit Stop and taking over $600, Wilkie said.
"The suspect was developed by in-store video and video from other businesses from around the area," he added.
Kinzel appeared to have acted alone, Wilkie said. Kinzel has a court hearing scheduled in Dickinson at 9:30 Wednesday morning.
Kyle Shook and Norman Locust, were arrested after allegedly confessing to trying to burglarize Dakota Loan and Pawn, north store, in June, Wilkie said. They had recently moved to Dickinson from Woodward, Okla.
"Norman also tried to break in the south Dakota (Loan and ) Pawn and was unsuccessful," Wilkie said.
Jim Hope, as well as management at the Pit Stop and Dakota Loan and Pawn declined comment Monday.
