Two churches burglarized

Two Tucumcari churches were burglarized over the weekend, and one was heavily vandalized with graffiti and enchilada sauce, among other things.

Musical and electronic equipment were stolen from both churches, according to church representatives.

The First Presbyterian Church at East Aber and Adams streets was burglarized either Saturday night or Sunday morning.

A brick shattered a window and damaged a carpet in the church sanctuary, pastor Amy Popsichal said. A computer and wide-screen television were taken out of a church office, Popsichal said, and the door to the office had been pried open with a hammer.

“We’re just very lucky no one was in there to get hurt,” she said.

Popsichal said the congregation went ahead with the worship service after discovering the burglary Sunday. It was an “honor the pastor” day she said.

On Sunday night, burglars struck the Center Street United Methodist Church at Center and Jackson streets.

The burglars stole microphones and stereo equipment, Harold Sloan, the director of the church choir, said.

The Rev. John Barrett, the pastor, said the burglars spread leftover food from the church’s annual enchilada sale Saturday all over the church, as well.

On Tuesday morning, there was enchilada sauce splashed on walls and carpets in several rooms and hallways of the church, and graffiti featuring racial epithets, obscenities, swastikas and satanic wording on walls and doors.

“On Sunday,” Barrett said,“we are going to pray for their salvation.”

Tucumcari police are continuing to investigate the burglaries, Assistant Chief Pete Rivera said, including a possible link to a rash of auto thefts that were reported last week.

All of the cars that had been stolen have been recovered, Rivera said.

“We’re still working the cases,” Rivera said. “there are some leads we are following.”