By Shavonne Potts

shavonne.potts@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Salisbury pastor Anthony Smith just happened to need a book from his church when he noticed someone broke a back glass door.

The incident occurred at Mission House, located at 120 Statesville Boulevard, sometime on Friday evening. Smith went to the church and called 911 thinking whoever broke in may still be inside. However, the thief was long gone. Smith said it appeared the thief, who was captured on church surveillance video, stole a camera.

Salisbury Police Department spokesman Lt. Lee Walker said someone used a cinder block to break a glass window at the front of the church. In a similar incident, someone used a cinder block to break a window at a home in the 1700 block of Statesville Boulevard. Walker said it did not appear that anything was taken in that incident.

Smith said video footage showed a man walking away from the building holding something in his hand. When he later went into the church to determine what was taken, Smith said, the only thing he could find was that a camera was missing. He said the camera was in an unlocked office and, Smith figured, the camera was the easiest thing to grab.

Smith said he felt as though something could happen because of the COVID-19 pandemic and that he’s not surprised the break-in occurred.

“People have a lack of resources. People getting desperate economically for cash. I suspect that something was coming,” he said. “As a pastor, as a follower of Jesus, I recognize that while this person, if they ever get caught, should be held responsible. I also recognize the human element that people are acting out desperation.”

There’s a correlation among wealth, income, inequality and the level of crimes like this, Smith said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333 or Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.