An apparent

scam designed to bilk at least three local churches possibly more out

of over $1,000 has landed two East Point residents in jail.

Fayetteville

Police arrested Shara Moore, 40, and Stanley Hector, 33, Tuesday as they

came to Fayetteville's First Baptist Church to collect a check, said police

department spokesman Lt. Tom Kirkbride.

Moore was charged

with three counts of theft by deception and one count of criminal attempt

to commit theft by deception. Hector was charged with one count of theft

One of the

suspects admitted to asking several local churches for money to help keep

a needy family from being evicted.

Other churches

in the metro Atlanta area were also victimized, although they haven't

all been identified, Kirkbride said. As many as 20 other churches may

also have been struck by Moore and Hector, he said.

The person

contacting the churches claimed to represent a legitimate community service

organization, which lended credibility to the scam, Kirkbride said.

Moore and Hector

also took money from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and Fayetteville

First Methodist Church, Kirkbride added.

Both suspects

were being held in the Fayette County Jail Thursday morning. Moore's bond

has been set at $11,200 and Hector's bond was set at $11,050.

After the arrests

were made, it was discovered that Moore was wanted by the Georgia Pardons

and Parole Board for violating her parole, Kirkbride said.

The police

department became involved Tuesday when a local pastor became wary of

the pair, who had arranged to pick up a second check Tuesday from First

Baptist Church. Detectives waited for Moore and Hector, interviewing them

when they arrived and later placing them under arrest, Kirkbride said.

Any local church

leaders who feel they may have fallen victim to this scam should contact

the Fayetteville Police Department at 770-461-4441 and ask for Detective

Crawshaw.