Monday, Jan. 30, 2012

BUFORD, Ga. (AP) -- Authorities are searching for suspects after a 100-pound cast iron church bell was stolen from a Georgia church.

The Gwinnett Daily Post reports the bell disappeared from the Duncan Creek Congregational in the Buford area last week.

Church Trustee Wayne Stancel is asking the thief to return the bell, and the congregation will act like the crime never occurred.

The bell cost the church about $300 to install. In talks with salvage yards, Stancel determined that whoever stole it likely couldn't get more than $15 for the cast iron.

(Copyright 2012, The Associated Press)