OXNARD : Church Set Afire After Burglary

Authorities are seeking at least one burglar who set fire to an Oxnard church before fleeing with about $5,000 in of equipment from the pastor’s office.

The blaze caused between $20,000 and $25,000 in damage at the Bethel A.M.E. Church at 249 S. Roosevelt Ave., said Capt. Pat Logue of the Oxnard Fire Department.

The intruder piled papers and other combustible material on a recently purchased piano near the pulpit before setting the piano on fire about 4 a.m. Tuesday, Logue said.

Logue said the fire apparently was not set to cover up evidence, since the stolen items were taken from another part of the church. Logue said most of the damage occurred in the small church portion of the structure.

The church pastor, the Rev. Johnie Carlisle, said the stolen equipment included a computer system valued at more than $3,000 and a public-address amplifier worth $1,000.

The minister said services will be held as usual Sunday despite smoke damage and damage to the roof of the 40-year-old church.