Stolen truck smashes church; Elkin builder responds

July 29--YADKINVILLE -- A stolen vehicle smashed into a Yadkinville church resulting in more than $30,000 in damages.

The incident happened on July 16 at about 4 a.m.

According to the pastor of New Bethel Pentecostal Holiness Church located at 2242 Caudle Mill Road, he was awakened by police who said a pickup truck smashed into his church.

Pastor J.P. Sizemore said, "I got a call at 4 a.m. that a truck had been reported stolen. The truck hit a light pole and the car slammed into the sanctuary. It's pretty extensive damage."

The Yadkinville Police Department responded to the scene and identified that the vehicle was stolen from a residence up the street. The case was turned over to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Sizemore said if he had a chance to speak to the person responsible for the melee, he would have some words with the suspect hoping to turn the person into conducting good actions instead of destruction.

"I think what's mostly notable here is not what crime happened, but the tremendous amount of support from good Samaritans," said Sizemore.

Such actions described by the pastor were Covenant Builders of The Carolinas Inc. of Elkin, who arrived at the church to help secure the structure. The Mitchel Chapel Methodist Church of Boonville assisted with a love offering of more than $200. Others are calling the church offering support.

"The Lord has been good to us. We felt we needed to do what was needed," said Bobby Osborne, who owns Covenant Builders of the Carolinas with partner Todd Scearce. "We dispatched people to the spot to help conceal things as best as possible so people don't damage the church further... There's not much more we can do because insurance companies want to see all of the damage. You can't even clean up."

"The adjusters have not provided a definitive number. The bricks are smashed and seven pews were crushed. The carpet is ruined because all the anti-freeze spilled on it," said Sizemore.

"I'm personally thanking all for their acts of kindness," said Sizemore.

North Carolina Highway Patrol said the case is still being investigated.

Anthony Gonzalez may be reached at 336-835-1513 or on Twitter @newsgonz.

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