Boynton police seeks public's help in identifying church burglar

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - A man stole power tools from a Boynton Beach church, according to Stephanie Slater, spokeswoman for Boynton Beach Police. 

The church was using the tools for the construction of a youth center.

Police in Boynton Beach are seeking the public’s help in identifying a man shown breaking into the shed out back of the church on Federal Highway.

The incident happened on Wednesday August 8th at around 7:20 p.m. at the Eglise Assemblée Evangelique Church located at 1115 N. Federal Highway in Boynton Beach.

Dumont Pierre, the Pastor at the Eglise Assemblée Evangelique Church, was coming back to the church when the incident was happening. 

He was driving a van full of parishioners.

"He saw us. We came right in front of him. The members they said open the door, we've got to take him, and we’ve got to take him. I said OK, slow down," said Pastor Pierre.

But the burglar didn't slow down, allegedly grabbing a box with $700 worth of power tools and speeding away in a dark colored car.

"He doesn't know what he's doing. If he knew what he was doing, he would not do it to a church," said Pastor Pierre.

The church was planning to use the power tools to fix a building across the street, a building they bought late last year.

Back in April, they had just converted an abandoned strip club into their church. 

They'd been hoping to use the power tools to build a youth center.

"The reason we try to have a place for them is to get them out of the street. So much happens on the street," said Pastor Pierre.

Pastor Pierre says that as Haitians, they're used to struggling and bouncing back.

"Right now, we don't have money, but we know God will provide," said Pierre.

Police are hoping the public can help identify the suspect.

"What I would say to this person, whoever done it, is to come to church."

If you have any information please contact Detective Brian McDeavitt with the Boynton Beach Police Department at 561-742-6129.