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Church Reunited With Stolen Trailer After Elk Grove Tow Company Waives Fees

ELK GROVE (CBS13) — A church and women's crisis center was hit hard when thieves stole $50,000 worth of goods including their trailer.

The church was thrilled on Friday when police said they found the trailer, but that quickly faded when they found out how much a tow company wanted to charge them.

RELATED: 'They Stole The Church:' Thieves Hit Elk Grove Church, Women's Crisis Center

"Feel like we're getting robbed again," said Pastor Adam Butler. "I know that may sound harsh."

That was the pastor on Monday morning. he was mad and rightfully so. Last month, his church's trailer filled with books and other teaching material was ripped off overnight by thieves who cut a bolt to the gate at the women's crisis center.

For weeks, Butler waited wondering if they would ever see their stuff again.

On Friday, police say they found the trailer, but the church had to get it out of a tow yard.

"What I was informed then was that I needed to a tow fee and four days of storage," he said.

The fee was going to be close to $500. Butler tried to reason with the tow shop over the phone.

"I said, 'Is there any way I can pay you for the tow and you can help me out,'" Butler said. "He said, 'Unfortunately the fees are set in stone.'"

After hearing this, CBS13 went to the tow shop to find the manager and ended up leaving a message for them. Before getting a call back, Butler said he was able to pick up the trailer, free and clear.

"I'm so stoked right now, it's not even funny," he said.

Butler says stories like these help to erase the bad that's happened in the past month, replacing it with good deeds from good people.

"The way that I look at this, and the way my people will look at this is that you just donated $480 to Answers Church to make this community better," he said.

Legally the company would have been in the right to charge the amount, but after hearing the plight of the church, they waived the fee.

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