Dawson Co. authorities want to meet with churches to solve burglaries

DAWSONVILLE - Ever since early spring, authorities in Dawson County have been dealing with a series of unsolved burglaries at area churches, and they're hoping a meeting with church representatives later this month will help them find the culprits.<br /> <br /> Dawson County Sheriff Billy Carlisle announced the July 29 meeting Thursday. He said nine churches have suffered burglaries since March.<br /> <br /> "Once they get in, they're stealing the musical equipment and the audio equipment out of the churches," said Carlisle.<br /> <br /> The sheriff said the thieves aren't picky - they've been stealing from small congregations and large. He said churches tend to be easy targets for criminals.<br /> <br /> "Once the church services are over on Sunday mornings or Sunday nights and they're not having another service until Wednesday, so that's a time frame where these people know there's not going to be anyone at these churches, and they can break into them and be gone," said Carlisle.<br /> <br /> Not only have congregations in Dawson County been victimized, but also several churches in Lumpkin County have been targeted by thieves.<br /> <br /> The Dawson and Lumpkin County Sheriff's Offices are offering separate $1,000 rewards for anyone who can provide information that leads to arrests and convictions in the burglaries. Sheriff Carlisle said even though the meeting for church leaders isn't until later in the month, investigators will take tips any time at 706-344-3636.<br /> <br /> The meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at the Dawson County Board of Commissioners meeting room, according to Carlisle.

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