TikTok influencer fending off crime ‘every other day’ during church renovation

TikTok influencer Johnny Youssef reported multiple run-ins with criminals in his attempt to renovate a church in Kansas City, Missouri.

Melrose Abbey on Washington Street was long owned by a local couple. It is considered the “first Swedish church” in the area as it was built by Swedish immigrants in 1922. Then, 100 years later, Youssef purchased the property with the intent to renovate it into a wedding venue. However, his TikTok account, meant to document his renovation process, has turned into video logs of the multitude of crimes committed there.

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Youssef has documented incidents of trespassing, theft, and destruction of property. The ceiling has been broken into, construction equipment has been stolen, and the on-site port-a-potty has been tipped over.

“I expected that we’ll have an attempted break-in here or there, but I did not expect it to be this bad,” Youssef told Fox News. “I would probably say every other day the security system is ringing.”

It remains to be seen when the venue will be finished, but its website is accepting inquiries already. Youssef anticipates turning its 24,000 square feet into a ceremony space, bridal suite, groom suite, two hotel rooms, two bars, and a warming kitchen. Its capacity is estimated to be 230 people.

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Reported crimes are up 8% from 2020 to 2022, according to the Missouri Incident-Based Reporting System. Larceny alone was up over 6% since last year. Businesses found themselves victims of nearly a quarter of the theft incidents last year.

Meanwhile, the clearance rate for these crimes is below 9%, making it so most thieves get away with their crimes.