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Burglars hit 4 churches in Hillsborough

By TIMES WIRES
Published December 12, 2006

The congregation at Plant City's Harmony Baptist Church collected about $900, hoping to make the holidays brighter for kids at a Tampa children's home. A thief exploited the church and those children Friday night, stealing the donations, the church's safe, a digital camera, a computer and a couple of guitars. Harmony Baptist, located at 6008 Knights Griffin Road, is one of four churches in rural eastern Hillsborough County burglarized in recent days, according to the Sheriff's Office.

'Steven Jesus' held in theft

The 5-gallon jug filled with about $325 in Christmas donations for the poor sat in the lobby of King of Kings Church - until someone in need took it. Left behind was a promissory note that read, "To Father 12-10-06 I plan to return all plus tithing. Love, Steven Jesus." When church officials discovered the jug was gone, they told authorities that a man named Steven Michael Griffiths had left the Sunday service early carrying a blue duffle bag, a Pasco sheriff's report said. A manager at the RV park where Griffiths lived also noticed the 40-year-old man carrying the bag with what appeared to be a heavy object inside, the report said. Griffiths told a deputy he wrote the promissory note but didn't take the money. He was charged with grand theft and was held in lieu of $5,000 bail at the Land O'Lakes jail.

Deputy's cruiser, Cadillac collide

A Hillsborough sheriff's deputy was in fair condition after his cruiser collided with a Cadillac Monday. Deputy James Brock, 36, was westbound on Riverview Drive when a 2006 Cadillac southbound on S 78th Street turned in front of him at Riverview Drive. The 11 a.m. crash was still under investigation late Monday. Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said both Brock and Cadillac driver, David Paul Defede, 51, of Punta Gorda, complained of soreness. They were taken to Tampa General Hospital. A hospital spokeswoman said Brock was in fair condition. Defede's condition was not available late Monday.

Tampa man jumps off Bayside Bridge

A 42-year-old Tampa man attempted suicide by jumping off the Bayside Bridge on Monday morning, Pinellas County sheriff's officials said. Passing motorists called the Sheriff's Office and Clearwater Fire and Rescue about 9:50 a.m. to report a man in the water, clinging to a bridge support piling. Mark Allan Menendez was heading south in his pickup when he pulled over and jumped off the bridge, sheriff's Sgt. Jim Bordner said. Clearwater Fire and Rescue threw him a flotation device from the bridge, carried him to shore via boat and took him to a hospital for evaluation.

Man accused of leaving child in car

A man was arrested on child abuse charges Sunday after he left his young son in an unlocked car at a store parking lot, authorities say. Edward Hunstein, 25 , of Crystal River was arrested after a sheriff's public service officer was alerted by a Wal-Mart employee that he had found a child unattended in a vehicle about 4 p.m. Sunday.

[Last modified December 12, 2006, 00:55:06]