Two Men Steal Items From Bishop Long's Office

2 steal iPad, other items from Bishop Eddie Long's office

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

3:38 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2010

At first, the master key to the New Birth Baptist Church was missing.

Then, an iPhone, iPad and other random items – more than $1,300 worth – were taken from Bishop Eddie Long’s office.

The incident happened on June 13, according to a DeKalb police report obtained by the AJC. A security camera at the church on Woodrow Road in Lithonia caught most of it on videotape.

Police arrested the thieves Wednesday. Investigators say they don't know what the connection is between the suspects and the church -- but they do believe that the theft was an inside job.

The camera recorded two men wearing dark hooded shirts, dark pants and white gloves using a key to enter the church at some point during the night between June 13 and 14.

Patrick Simmons, the church’s security manager, told DeKalb police that the master key was missing from the secretary’s desk on June 11 – and then “suddenly appeared” four days later.

Then they noticed that an iPhone, iPad and speaker system as well as some jewelry were missing, Simmons told police.

Police arrested Anthony Boyd, 19, of Decatur, and Maurice Robinson, 20, and charged them with burglary. Robinson’s address were not listed on the police report.

Art Franklin, a publicist for Long, said the bishop was traveling and would not be able to speak to the press. He referred all questions to the DeKalb police.

In a statement, Long said he “forgives the men and hopes that they understand what they did is wrong. Long added that he is praying for them and that God is a God of mercy and compassion.”