Thief walks into church during Sunday Mass, walks out with altar server’s bag, police say

Police in New Jersey are searching for a thief accused of walking into a Gloucester County church during Sunday Mass and walking out with a bag of items stolen from an altar server.

Police on Monday released images of the thief, who has not been identified.

The thief walked into St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church at 176 Stagecoach Road around 10:50 a.m. April 7 and walked out with a satchel of valuable items belonging to the altar server, according to Washington Township police. Authorities told NJ.com the stolen items included credit cards, electronic devices and SD memory cards.

Washington Township police Capt. Kenneth Kennedy told the Courier-Post the case was unusual because police rarely investigate thefts at churches.

"This is the kind of crime we see at a business or a movie theater, particularly where it's dark," he said.

Police said the thief wore a dark coat, dark shorts and white sunglasses during the theft. The person also has a large tattoo on his or her lower left leg.

Police continue to investigate.

About the Author