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Man wanted in church robberies in three counties

A suspect in five Hillsborough robberies also garners interest in Pasco and Orange counties.

By TImes staff writer
Published December 23, 2006

PLANT CITY - Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies are searching for a Lakeland man they think is behind a string of church robberies in Eastern Hillsborough County, spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.

The Sheriff's Office issued a warrant for the arrest of Richard Joseph Todd, 19, of 4825 Denise Ave., Lakeland, on two counts of burglary and grand theft in connection with a Dec. 12 break-in at Harmony Baptist Church at 6008 Knights Griffin Road.

That robbery resulted in the theft of $900 in holiday donations for a Tampa children's home, the church's safe, a digital camera, a computer and guitars.

Deputies identified Todd as a suspect after he pawned two sound mixers in Orlando that were believed to have been taken in the robberies, Carter said.

Todd is also a suspect in four other church burglaries in Eastern Hillsborough, and authorities said they think he was not the only person involved.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office has also issued a warrant for Todd's arrest, since he is on probation for burglary and grand theft in that county, Carter said.

Deputies believe these church burglaries may be connected to others in Pasco and Orange counties.

The sheriff's offices in those counties are also investigating the case.

The other four Hillsborough churches Todd is suspected of robbing are East Thonotosassa Baptist Church, 12735 Knights Griffin Road; First Thonotosassa Missionary Baptist Church, 10650 McIntosh Road; United Methodist Church, 4815 Sam Allen Road; and Faith Lighthouse Church, 3409 Paul Buchman Highway, Carter said.

[Last modified December 23, 2006, 06:17:40]