3 arrested after more than $15,000 worth of equipment stolen from Harrisburg church

HARRISBURG, Ill. (KBSI) – Three people face burglary and theft charges after more than $15,000 was stolen from a church in Harrisburg.

James D. Long, 43, of Harrisburg, Michael R. Harford, 38, of Eldorado and Melissa G. Noble, 39, of Harrisburg each face two counts of burglary and two counts of theft over $10,000.

Members of the First Baptist Church discovered two separate burglaries had occurred on August 4 and 10 at their Disaster Relief storage facility.

Church members identified numerous pieces of outdoor power equipment, valued in excess of $15,000 missing from the facility

A member of the FBC Disaster Relief received information regarding the burglary on August 14 and provided that information to Harrisburg detectives.

Harrisburg police identified a Harrisburg home, where police believed a significant portion of the stolen property was being stored.

Officers and deputies conducted a search at that home and recovered property taken in both burglaries.

The suspects were booked into the Saline County Detention Center.

The investigation continues. More charges are expected.

Anyone with information regarding the theft is asked to contact the Saline County Central Dispatch at (618) 252-8661.