For the second time this week, a Johnston County church has been targeted by a thief.
On Wednesday, two air conditioning units were discovered missing from the Baptist Center Church located at 2163 Ranch Road near Clayton. The HVAC units were taken sometime between Tuesday and Wednesday. They were valued at $5,000.
On Tuesday, someone stole four HVAC units from Iglesia Biblica Bautisa of Benson Church located at 6963 Highway 50 North.
HVAC units are commonly targeted by criminals because of the copper they contain, which can easily be resold to a recycling facility. Scrap metal dealers say it is virtually impossible to tell if copper has been stolen because the metal does not have any serial numbers.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating both incidents. Officials have not said if the two thefts might be connected.
