Detectives Investigate Burglaries of 5 Lexington County Churches

Detectives are looking for burglars who broke into five churches near Pelion and Swansea and stole cash.

The most recent burglary happened this week, according to the Lexington County Sheriff's Department. The first one happened in February. 

Calvary United Methodist Church at 1130 Calvary Church Road was broken into sometime between Monday and Tuesday. The burglars also hit Ebenezer United Methodist Church at 2805 Highway 178 in Swansea sometime between Sunday and Monday.

Dolorosa Worship Center at 365 Old Charleston Road in Pelion was broken into three times: sometime between Feb. 13 and 14, again on March 4 and a third time between May 2 and 3.

Detectives also are investigating a burglary that occurred between May 11 and May 12 at New Hope Baptist Church at 249 New Hope Church Road in Pelion, and a burglary that occurred between May 14 and May 15 at King Grove Baptist Church at 1580 Highway 178 in Swansea.

Each of the five churches is located in a rural area, Sheriff James Metts said. Similar burglaries have occurred at three churches in Calhoun County and five churches in Orangeburg County.

Anyone with information about the burglaries at the five churches near Pelion and Swansea should contact the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department at 803-785-8230 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.