Group transforming church into mosque suffers $5,000 setback thanks to thieves

MILWAUKEE -- Plans to convert an abandoned south side church hit a snag as a result of a break-in. Milwaukee police are now investigating.

Church being turned into mosque near 19th and Rogers burglarized

The group renovating the building near 19th and Rogers in Milwaukee wants to keep it a house of worship. It is being transformed into a mosque -- but on Wednesday night, August 3rd, there was a major setback.

Enis Jashari said for the past six months, there hadn't been any issues at the site.

"No problems until pretty much (Wednesday)," Jashari said.

Thursday was going to be another day of work at the site, but the guys noticed something strange right away.

Enis Jashari

"We came in about 6:40 in the morning and we noticed the light was on inside the building. We wondered if somebody had left it on (Wednesday) night," Jashari said.

Church being turned into mosque near 19th and Rogers burglarized

Jashari said the crew thought nothing of it, and got started. Then, they realized this was far worse than simple forgetfulness.

"While we were putting boards from the truck inside, we noticed the window on the side was pried open," Jashari said.

Milwaukee police say sometime between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, burglars ripped off a side board to get into the basement.

Jashari said the thieves took $4,000 to $5,000 worth of tools.

"They took tools such as saws, different machines for cutting wood and putting wood together," Jashari said.

Church being turned into mosque near 19th and Rogers burglarized

While they have replaced some of the smaller tools, major projects like the building's upper level are stuck in place.

"Stealing is really not a nice thing to do to others. It`s a really great, big act of disorder. We need to stop it," Jashari said.

Church being turned into mosque near 19th and Rogers burglarized

Milwaukee police are investigating.

Meanwhile, Jashari said the goal remains to have the mosque open by the end of 2016.

Church being turned into mosque near 19th and Rogers burglarized