Witnesses reportedly told police that teenagers ran from the stolen cars. Rev. Louis Murphy Sr. said he is grateful no one was hurt.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Pete police are investigating after two cars crashed into a church last weekend. Witnesses reportedly told police that teenagers ran from the stolen cars.
Rev. Louis Murphy Sr. said the cars slammed into a Mount Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church’s care building.
“Most of the stuff that was damaged was clothes and food that we give away,” Rev. Murphy Sr. said.
Rev. Murphy Sr. said he is grateful no one was hurt.
“Those children ran away instead of us preparing for eight funerals, and I started to feel thankful,” Rev. Murphy Sr. said.
While St. Pete police report auto thefts are down 36% from last year, Rev. Murphy Sr. believes this crash is still a reminder of Mount Zion’s vision to bring about an effective change in the community and beyond.
“We still have work to do. I think the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few,” Rev. Murphy Sr. said.
Rev. Murphy Sr. said Mount Zion has several youth programs working to keep kids on the right path.
“You got to reach them when they’re babies if you wait until they’re 10, 11, 12, 14, 15. You really have missed because so much learning and development happens in their formative years,” Rev. Murphy Sr. said.
He wants the teens involved in the crash to know help is available to them as well.
“We’re planted here for a reason,” Rev. Murphy Sr. said.
St. Pete police said that auto thefts are usually crimes of opportunity. So, for the holiday season they’re urging drivers not to leave their doors unlocked, to also not leave their keys in the car and to make sure their valuables are not visible.
St. Pete police said no one has been charged yet. Rev. Murphy Sr. said they are moving their human resources services to another building while repairs are being made.