Thieves are breaking one of the Ten Commandments in places where they should have learned about them. Over the past two weeks, they have hit seven churches in Saunders County.

“Somebody used a crowbar or other device to pry into our metal door,” said Pastor Brian Kane. A broken church door is chained because burglars tried to take what others had given. “Looking for a possible place we might be storing.”

Overnight Monday, thieves broke into St. James Catholic Church in Mead, Nebraska, ransacking cabinets and closets. “Looking for the collection is our main guess and when they didn't find it they took off,” said Pastor Kane.

A good indication the burglars were only after money from the offering plates was none of the gifts for the needy sitting in the vestibule were taken. The congregation will purchase a security system.

“You'd think a place like a church where people come and pray and commitment to the community to do good is a place that wouldn't become a target for thieves, but unfortunately nobody is safe, it seems like,” said Pastor Kane.

The thieves don't favor one denomination when looking for cash. They broke into Ithaca Methodist about 10 miles away and stealing $15 in Sunday school money. Susana Prater is both a church neighbor and member. “What's the world coming to when people are starting to break into churches? If anything, it would be nice if they break in to steal a Bible.”

Anyone with information on who might be responsible for breaking into churches in and around Wahoo is asked to call the Saunders County Sheriff’s Department at 402-443-8181.