A cigarette thief is using a church van stolen from Second Missionary Baptist in Chattanooga to steal smokes in Cleveland and Bradley County, authorities say.
A news release from the Bradley County Sheriff's Office said the white Ford van, Tennessee tag 968-CRC, was stolen from the church Wednesday.
The BCSO and Cleveland police are asking for the public's help to identify the person who used it in burglaries at the Fuel Mart on South Lee Highway, which is inside the city limits, and the Cleveland Country Mart on Waterlevel Highway, in the unincorporated county.
In both cases, a male, pictured above, forced his way into the stores and stole numerous cartons of cigarettes, according to the news release.
Anyone who can help identify the suspect or provide information on the crimes is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 423-728-7336.