Security guard caught stealing from metro church he was hired to protect
OKLAHOMA CITY OK Jan 30 2018
A security guard who was hired to protect a popular metro church has been charged with taking donation money.
The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a reserve deputy was caught in Life Church’s elaborate plan to catch the thief taking from the church near Southwest 78th Street and Western Avenue.
The man, identified as James Smith, was supposed to provide security for the money collected during services.
Smith has since been fired.
According to court documents, church officials became suspicious that something wasn’t adding up with their donations.
On Dec. 17, employees planted fake donation envelopes labeled with amounts ranging from $500 to $1,250. The envelopes, however, actually were filled with $1 bills and GPS tracking devices.
Prosecutors said the church set up a hidden surveillance camera and recorded Smith placing three of the fake envelopes in his pocket. Employees found the GPS trackers in the dumpster behind the church.
Life Church officials said they cannot comment on the investigation because it’s an ongoing legal matter.
Smith has been charged with attempted grand larceny.
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