Authorities in Isle of Wight County have made four arrests in a string of thefts from local churches in December.

Facing charges are John Anthony Edwards, 29; Amy Christine Spencer, 35; Jason Eric Sawyer, 36; and Jennifer Lynn Gibson, 31. All resided in the 8900 block of Colonial Trail in Surry County at the time of the offenses.

Edwards is charged with four counts each of grand larceny and possession of stolen property with intent to sell. Spencer and Sawyer each face three counts each of grand larceny and possession of stolen property with intent to sell. Gibson is charged with four counts of possession of stolen property with intent to sell.

Between Dec. 1 and 8, Union Bethel AME Church in Smithfield and Mill Swamp Baptist Church in Ivor were targeted. Both churches lost their outside heating and air-conditioning units, sheriff’s office spokeswoman Kristin Wilda wrote in a press release.

Bethany United Methodist Church also lost three exterior heating and air-conditioning units in the third week of December. Moonlight Hunt Club also lost two stainless steel tables in November.

Authorities believe the stolen metal was subsequently sold to scrap dealers.

Editor’s Note: The original version of this story noted the theft of a copper drainage system from Historic St. Luke’s Church on Benns Church Boulevard between Dec. 12-13. That crime has not yet been solved.