Surveillance video captured the shocking moment when a thief kneeled next to an elderly churchgoer and prayed with her while an accomplice went through her wallet, later using her credit cards on a $7,000 shopping spree at Sam’s Club.
Linda Morrow, 78, arrived early for the 6.30pm service at Hilldale Baptist Church in Clarksville, Tennessee on February 9.
The victim was sitting in the mostly empty pews when a younger woman with waist-long dreadlocks sat in front of her and started a conversation. Video shows her kneeling down next to the woman, holding her hands and bowing her head in prayer.
Meanwhile, an accomplice sitting behind Morrow rifles through Morrow’s purse while she’s distracted and fishes out her wallet. She empties it out, taking multiple cards and bills, and carefully places it back in the purse.
‘I couldn’t believe it,’ Morrow told Inside Edition. ‘I never in a million years thought about anything like that happening.’
Three of the four women involved in the theft were caught on video leaving a Sam’s Club ‘shortly after the theft,’ according to the Clarksville Police Department. They reportedly spent $7,000 at the wholesale retailer.
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A woman knelt down to pray with Linda Morrow, 78, at a Tennessee church on February 9
Another woman reached into Morrow’s purse and rifled through her wallet, stealing credit cards and cash, while the sham prayer went on
‘I couldn’t believe it,’ Morrow (left) told Inside Edition. ‘I never in a million years thought about anything like that happening.’ On the right, the church’s pastor Larry Robertson
Three of the four women involved were later seen walking out of a Sam’s Club, where they allegedly spent $7,000 on Morrow’s cards
Police are still looking for the suspects and no arrests have been made.
Authorities say two of the four women involved approached Morrow at the church.
‘After a short conversation, one of the females requested the victim pray with her,’ Clarksville police wrote on Facebook. ‘While they were praying, the second female rummaged through the victim’s purse and stole her wallet.’
Hilldale pastor Larry Robertson said the group of women arrived 50 minutes early, which he found odd, according to Fox Television Stations. They said they were visiting from another church, so he pointed them to the sanctuary for a pre-service prayer meeting.
‘The taller girl with red dreadlocks (she called herself Jade) voiced the prayer while the other girl (who called herself Kesha) took the lady’s wallet from her purse and removed cash and credit/gift cards,’ Robertson said.
‘When “Kesha” had finished, “Jade” finished the prayer. They excused themselves and exited the building.’
The incident happened at Hilldale Baptist Church in Clarksville, Tennessee on February 9, about an hour before the 6.30pm service
Police are still searching for the suspects and no further information is known at this time
Morrow noticed her cards and cash were missing and alerted Robertson.
‘I was sickened … and angry, to be honest,’ he said.
Pastor Robertson said Morrow is doing well but feels ‘violated.’
He shared the story with the congregation when the service began less than an hour later.
‘I’m mad, I’m ticked,’ Robertson told his congregation. ‘Keep your eye on your wallet, even at church I guess.’
‘People know that Christians are kind and trusting and the devil knows it too.’
Surveillance video from a Sam’s Club shows three women leaving the store after spending $7,000, according to Inside Edition.
The Clarksville Police Department told DailyMail.com no further information is known at this time.
