Secretary Looted Lutheran Church: Cops

BOLINGBROOK, IL — An Oak Park woman stole as much as $10,000 from a Bolingbrook church where she worked as a secretary, according to a criminal complaint filed in Will County court.

Alexa Botwin, 31, was charged with felony theft for stealing at least $500 and up to $10,000 from New Life Lutheran Church on Bolingbrook Drive, the complaint said.

Botwin allegedly did her stealing between December 2013 and August, the complaint said.

New Life Lutheran Church announced in April 2013 that they had hired Botwin as a secretary and office manager.

“We are excited about her sharing her many gifts and talents in serving the Lord through this congregation,” New Life Lutheran said in its newsletter.

“We also rejoice with her as she gets married on April 6th,” the newsletter said. “A new job and a wedding in the same week make for a busy week.”

Botwin remains at large. The warrant for her arrest carries a $75,000 bond.