FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 1, 2020
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org
John Quaglione
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org
BROOKLYN CATHOLIC CHURCH ROBBED: COLLECTION BOX CUT OPEN
The Diocese of Brooklyn is announcing that a church collection box was robbed late yesterday afternoon inside of St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church located in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn. The incident, which is under investigation by the NYPD, was discovered around 4 p.m. Friday, by a Franciscan Nun who was sanitizing the church pews.
Surveillance video shows the suspect cutting open one of the wooden collection boxes and removing an unknown amount of money before leaving the church. Camera footage shows the perpetrator was in the church for a while, appearing to be praying, however, it is now evident he was waiting to be alone in the church to commit the robbery.
“I am saddened by what happened inside our beautiful church yesterday, but I am grateful to God that no one was injured. I understand in these unprecedented times, many people have lost their jobs and need assistance, but this not how you turn to the church for help. My message to those in need is to ring our doorbell, don’t vandalize and steal, and let us help you,” said Father Willy Kingsley Ndi, Administrator of St. Thomas Aquinas Church.
St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church is located at 249-9th Street in Brooklyn. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the NYPD’s 78th Precinct at (718) 636-6411 or NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-8477.
A copy of the surveillance footage can be found here: https://vimeo.com/443775056
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