PINEVILLE — The Bell County Sheriff’s Department (BCSD) has recovered numerous items stolen from four area churches and caught several of the suspected thieves they believe responsible.

Sheriff Bruce Bennett and Deputy David Cornelius reported Tuesday that they had recovered all the music equipment stolen from the four churches, which included five guitars, two amplifiers, and a sound board, as well as other food and kitchen items. The Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department (CCSD) found the items at Shylock Pawn Shop in Tazewell and then handed them over to the BCSD.

The robberies occurred on Sept. 20 and 21 at Calvin Primitive Baptist, Ferndale Missionary Baptist, Blue Ridge Baptist, and Old Cannon Creek Baptist Churches.

Three of four suspected burglars have been arrested in the case. Christian Partin, 18, of Ferndale and Sherry Green, 19, of Pineville were arrested in Claiborne County. Partin was charged with three counts of receiving stolen property and Green was charged with three counts of complicity to commit burglary. The BCSD arrested a juvenile from Middlesboro, whose name they would not release. The individual is charged with four counts of burglary.

Cornelius said they are still searching for the fourth suspected burglar, 18-year-old Ryan Miracle of Williams Branch. He was confident Miracle would be caught soon. He added that Partin and Green are currently being held in Claiborne County but said they would likely be extradited and charged in Bell County within weeks.

Sheriff Bennett thanked the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department, including Sheriff David Ray and Captain David Honeycutt, for their aid in recovering the stolen property and arresting Partin and Green.

“Their cooperation in this was vital,” said Bennett. “It was a total group effort.”

Cornelius said a break in the case happened on Oct. 2 when he was given a tip by Middlesboro Police Officer Petie Gilbert. Bennett and Cornelius then contacted the CCSD regarding the stolen items.

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.