3 arrested in burglaries of churches

By Times Staff Writer
Published September 8, 2007

TOWN 'N COUNTRY   

Three people were arrested Thursday after authorities wrapped up a weeklong investigation into allegations that a homeless couple stole equipment from three churches and traded it for crack cocaine.

Daniel Lawson, 23, and Angela Lawson, 22, were each charged with five counts of burglary, six counts of dealing in stolen property, and one count of fraudulent use of a credit card.

The Hillsborough Sheriff's Office said the two admitted stealing from Rocky Creek Baptist Church at 6403 Teresa St., Camino Church at 6307 Sheldon Road and Tampa Korean Church at 7215 Sheldon Road. They broke into the last church three times, deputies said.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said no faith-related items were stolen, but that nearly $20,000 worth of keyboards, speaker stands, an amplifier, guitars and children's toys were taken.

After questioning the Lawsons, investigators searched the apartment of Dale Hamilton Slater and found nearly 33 grams of crack cocaine and paraphernalia, Carter said. They also found stolen merchandise from the churches and other area businesses.

Slater, 47, of 5514 Wood Forest Drive was charged with trafficking in crack cocaine, two counts of grand theft and two counts of dealing in stolen property.

[Last modified September 8, 2007, 00:21:46]