Suspect Arrested In Franklin County Church Burglaries

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department arrested a man in connection with a string of church burglaries throughout Franklin County.

Timothy J. Buerk, 32, Villa Ridge, has been charged with eight counts of second-degree burglary and his bond set at $30,000. Buerk had outstanding warrants for felony theft, trespassing, fourth-degree assault, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and shoplifting.

Three other suspects, including a 29-year-old female, a 38-year-old male and a 41-year-old male were arrested.

Buerk was tracked down to Paradise Mobile Home Park where authorities found several pieces of stolen property from the church burglaries.

Seven church burglaries were reported since Nov. 21 including:

-Hilltop Advent Christian Church in Pacific where a van had been stolen;

-St. Clair Christian Church, where the office was ransacked and multiple items stolen;

-Canaan Land Ministries near St. Clair;

-Franklin County Baptist Association near Union, where multiple items were sstolen;

-Bethel Baptist Church near St. Clair, where money had been stolen;

-First Baptist Church of Grey Summit, where electronics and musical equipment was stolen; and

-Virginia Mines Baptist Church near Lonedell, where musical instruments were stolen and the building was ransacked.

“I would like to thank the law enforcement officers that assisted in the case and the Franklin County community for being vigilant and helping to check on the churches in our area,” said Sheriff Steve Pelton.