Through thefts in Selma, we have seen the lowest of the low.

We have seen freezers stolen from area food banks. We have seen computers and electronic equipment stolen from life-saving organizations  who want nothing more than to help people in need.

We have also seen numerous businesses burglarized to the point that they no longer feel it is profitable to do business in Dallas County.

Now, we have seen an artist and favorite son of Selma targeted as well.

The look on Charlie “Tin Man” Lucas’ face said it all Tuesday when he walked into the Selma Times-Journal building to discuss the recent theft of his works.

The normally happy Lucas, whose welcoming smile is contagious, was not the Tin Man we all know and love.

Instead, his face bore the look of a man who could not understand why something he had put his heart and soul into could be stolen and, most likely, taken to a scrap yard.

Where does it end? Where do criminals in Selma draw the line? It’s clear that religious organizations and charities are not safe from thieves.

Now it seems our local artists also have to look over their shoulder.

We don’t need any more bad news. We don’t need someone who seldom frowns to be left with a helpless and defeated look on their face.

To be perfectly honest, it’s sickening. It’s sickening to see people without a conscience steal from organizations that provide aid for those who are down on their luck.

It’s sickening to see items taken that lessen the effectiveness of groups that provide aid during natural disasters.

It’s sickening to see crime take away someone’s means of income by closed factories and stolen works of art.

Is nothing sacred to these thieves? Is nothing safe? Judging by the patterns we have seen in the past year, the answer is no.