Davidson Police Confirm Lingle Hut Break-In Investigation

DAVIDSON, NC —Davidson Police Chief Penny Dunn has confirmed the department is investigating a break-in -perhaps multiple break-ins - and property damage at the Lingle Hut, the 1930's-built fellowship hall for the Reeves Temple AME Zion Church that currently is underdoing renovations.

In a Monday email to Patch, Dunn said her department is looking into illegal entering and the discharge of a fire extinguisher at the hut, which is adjacent to Reeves Temple church, 213 Watson St. Dunn said the department is working with Reeves Temple Church Trustees and their security company to obtain recordings in and around the historic building that might help with solving the crime.

"While the case is still under investigation, we cannot provide more details at this time," Dunn said. "Any incident of breaking and entering, vandalism, or any other such crime on private or community property will be taken very seriously by Davidson Police and will be fully investigated."

According to WBTV, church leaders believe the property was broken into on at least three occasions: Sept. 5, Sept. 9 and Sept. 10., and they provided the station with photos of the damage and surveillance video of possible suspects outside the church on those dates.

WBTV reported the video shows teens coming in and out of the church.

"We are in the process of revitalizing our hut," Reverend Anthony Davis said. "Unfortunately, over the past couple of days, maybe a week or so, we had some vandals come in and do some more damage and destruction to the inside of our hut, so we are concerned that the damage may roll over to the inside of our church."

Davis also told WBTV that he was asking the community to remain vigilant about protecting the church and their own property.

"We just hope that the community and all those neighbors around will be on the lookout, because we know that children can be continuing to do things in the neighborhood," Davis said.