AHOSKIE – A Hertford County church van was also vandalized recently.

Hertford County Sheriff Juan Vaughan reported that in addition to the five churches who had catalytic converters cut off their church vans in Bertie County, a vehicle at Higher Ground Pentecostal Holiness Church on U.S. 13 outside of Ahoskie had the same issue.

“We are working closely with Bertie County Sheriff John Holley on this,” Vaughan said. “Our departments have been in contact and we’ll be working together to solve this case.”

Last week, Holley reported that five churches in his county had discovered vans that had been burglarized.

The Bertie County victims include Piney Wood Chapel Missionary Baptist Church near Powellsville, Rountree Temple of Praise near Powellsville, First Missionary Baptist Church of Powellsville, Colerain First Baptist Church and Eveninglight Church of God In Christ outside of Windsor.

Holley said the catalytic converters were likely being sold at junk dealers for $75 to $100 each, but were costing churches $300-$350 to replace them. He said vans were being targeted because they are higher off the ground than a normal vehicle, making it easier to get to the converters.

“I really wonder how low a person can go to steal from a church,” Holley said. “It’s sad, but we do have a very good lead in the case. I feel good about the investigation.”

Anyone who has information about the case can call the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office at 794-5330 or the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office at 358-7800.