Vandals struck two Lawrence County churches earlier this week, leaving the houses of worship damaged and sheriff's deputies looking for suspects.

Someone broke into the Windsor Methodist Church on State Route 775, damaging the door and knocking church items onto the floor, according to a written release by Sheriff Tim Sexton.

Deputies are also investigating the attempted break-in at the Mount Hope Baptist Church on Greasy Ridge. The doors of that church were also damaged the doors.

The exact time of the break-ins is not known, but investigators believe they occurred sometime between Sunday and Tuesday.

Sexton said deputies have also had reports of purses being stolen from vehicles parked outside the churches during worship services. Two people recently were arrested for allegedly breaking into a vehicle outside a church and stealing a purse.

"Do not leave items such as purses in the car and in plain view from the exterior since this provides a would-be criminal a greater opportunity to commit a criminal act," Sexton said in the release.

A reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information about either case is asked to call the sheriff's office at (740) 532-3525 or 867-3157.