Grand Prairie Police searching for armed robbers who targeted people at church

A church in Grand Prairie is stepping up security this Easter weekend after a pair of thieves targeted a woman in its parking lot.  Police have released surveillance video as they look for the suspects.

"They seemed to be looking for opportunity to do something," said Gateway Church member Warren Wienecke.

Surveillance video from the church off North Carrier Parkway shows two men in a Toyota Corolla grabbing items in a matter of seconds several hours after Saturday services on March 24th.

"They took her purse out of her car with the windows rolled down," said Wienecke.

The video shows one of the woman's walk up on the robbery as it was happening and freeze, then runs away.

Police say the two thieves then targeted two women walking in the parking lot

"While they were chatting, these guys held them up at gunpoint." said Wienecke. "They put a gun to Candy's head, and she expressed she had lost her husband the year before and she thought ‘I might get to see my husband now.'"

Reps at Gateway Church didn't want to go on camera but say nothing happened during church services. They wouldn't confirm if the victims were members, but say they are glad they were not harmed and hope for the safety of the community and that the thieves are caught.

Grand Prairie Police have put up more cameras in the parking lot.

"Somebody when they come out here just ought to be more aware of what's going on - that can happen to any of us."