Attempted Burglary at Aquia Episcopal Church

STAFFORD, Va. – On Sept. 25, an attempted burglary occurred at Aquia Episcopal Church located on 2938 Jefferson Davis Highway in Stafford.

Stafford sheriff’s spokesman William Kennedy said that on Sept. 25, a deputy was sent to investigate an alarm activation at the church that occurred at 11:57 p. Kennedy explained that initially it appeared that the signal came from a perimeter door, but when the deputy spoke with the church pastor, it was determined that the alarm came from the church office.

Kennedy said that after the deputy spoke with the pastor, the deputy on-site discovered that the front door to the church was unlocked, which was unusual. Shortly after, other deputies arrived to clear the building and also found that the church rear door had been forced and pried open, but no suspects were found, said Kennedy.

One of the other deputies on the scene used a police dog to track the scent which led from the front door, then along the cemetery, and into the woods where the trail went cold, said Kennedy. Police believe that the attempted burglary happened between 8:30 pm and 11:57 pm after the last person left the church unlocked after 8:30 pm, said Kennedy.

The alarm may have scared the suspect or suspects away from the church as nothing was missing or tampered with, said Kennedy. If anyone noticed any suspicious activity or people running from the area between 8:30 pm and 11:57 pm, Potomac Local readers can contact Stafford sheriff or anonymously at Stafford Crime Solvers at 540-659-2020.