Police: Shelby Township Church Robbed After Easter Services - Update

Shelby Township police said that St. Therese Lisieux Catholic Church was robbed following Easter services, according to a report on WXYZ.

Shelby Township police also said that they have learned that a church in Clinton Township was robbed last night, according to a release from the department.

Clinton Township police said St. Luke Lutheran Church was robbed sometime between 1 p.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday.

Police believe the two robberies are related.

An undisclosed amount of money was taken from the safe at St. Luke's, according to Capt. Richard Maierle of the Clinton Township Police Department.

More than $40,000 was taken from St. Therese Lisieux Catholic Church overnight, police said. Chalices also were reported missing.

Linda Maccarone, the church manager, told WWJ that someone used a blowtorch or some type of drill to break into the safe at St. Therese Lisieux.

Maccarone said the break-in occurred sometime after 9 p.m. Sunday, according to WWJ and The Macomb Daily.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call Shelby Township Lt. Detective Tom Kohl at 586-731-2121, ext. 315, or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-SPEAKUP.

NOTE: This story was updated at 11:54 a.m. April 1 with additional information from the Shelby Township Police Department. This story also was updated at 2:15 p.m. April 1 with additional information from the Clinton Township Police Department.