In the wake of a string of burglaries and thefts targeting churches in Franklin County, communities in the area are being advised to watch for any suspicious activity.

“Knock on wood, it hasn’t started here yet,” said Warren County Sheriff Kevin Harrison. “Our churches are aware of it and are asking for security patrols.”

The sheriff said deputies will increase the number of patrols to check on churches in the county. He said unfortunately, the holiday season can be marked by increased thefts.

“The single best thing we can tell anybody is just be aware of things that appear out of the ordinary and report that to us,” Harrison said.

The warning is in response to reports of at least seven burglaries targeting churches in Franklin County over the last three weeks. The thieves broke through windows to gain entry to the buildings, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

Information about the burglaries suggested a pattern of targeting musical instruments, electronics and money for theft, leaving the churches ransacked. One church reported that a van had been stolen.

Harrison said no one should hesitate to contact authorities if they think something suspicious is happening. He said officers would rather check on suspicious activity and find out nothing was wrong, rather than hearing about a crime after it happened.

The Rev. Jeff Mueller, pastor at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Marthasville, said he isn’t overly concerned about the chance of criminal activity coming to the area.

“We’re a pretty tight-knit community around here,” Mueller said. “I know the people doing it are probably not from that area (of Franklin County), but it seems like it’s stayed on the other side of the river.”

Mueller said the doors of the church are kept locked when no one is there, and he or other nearby residents keep an eye on it.

“The majority of people who go to this church live here, so there’s pretty much always someone who has eyes on the building,” he said.

Suspect arrestedA suspect was arrested and charged Dec. 7 in connection to the church burglaries in Franklin County.Timothy J. Buerk Jr., 32, Villa Ridge, was named in a felony complaint on eight counts of second-degree burglary. He is being held at the Franklin County Jail on a $30,000 cash-only bond.Buerk was arrested Wednesday morning at a residence in the Paradise Mobile Home Park. Investigators tracked some of the stolen property to an apartment in St. Clair where it was being stored. The van was located at the McDonald’s in St. Clair.Authorities allege Buerk traded stolen items for drugs.He also has warrants for his arrest for felony stealing, trespassing, assault, possession of drug paraphernalia and shoplifting.Suspicious activity