SAN ANTONIO -- Noah's Ark Christian Bookstore sees about one to two Christian items stolen every year.
This holiday season, it's seeing three to four items missing from its shelves.
"I can see the need people have, they need to buy more but don't have the means to do it," store manager Maria Obregon says.
You can't ignore the irony of the situation. The book that read, "Thou shalt not steal" is also one of the most-stolen books in the world. In San Antonio, Bible bandits are on the rise. Local bookstores say it's a problem they see year-round. They attribute it to a slow economy, and people turning to God in tough times.
"It hurts the cash register," claims Obregon.
Bibles at Noah's Ark can cost anywhere from $10 to $70. So the holy heist could hurt the bottom line. Security cameras are put in place to watch those going astray, but Obregon doesn't expect the thieves to return with their stolen goods.
"So I just bless them that they can [use it] and read it," she says.
Obregon also works out deals with her customers who are spending on a budget. Oftentimes, she says she gives discounts, or even hands out free Bibles for new believers.
