From early September through the first week of this month, sixteen churches in the Lodi area were burglarized.

"Most of the items stolen were either money and or computer related equipment."

Captain Gary Benincasa of the Lodi Police Department says the culprits didn't have much difficulty breaking into the churches. The facilities are usually unoccupied overnight.

Benincasa says recent arrests might have ended the crime spree.

"We made some arrests and got some of the stolen property. And we think the same group and we think the same group has committed the burglaries."

A few churches in the Stockton area have also been targeted by burglars. Officials haven't said if those break-ins are related to the ones in Lodi.

Despite the arrests, a number of churches are taking precautions, which include hiring  security guards and installing alarm systems.