Church Burglary Part of Spree in Long Beach

When Martha Otera opened the St. John's Lutheran Church by The Sea last Sunday morning, she and other members took one look in the sanctuary and knew something was wrong.

Ten antique, solid brass candle holders and candelabras, communion candles and two brass vases were stolen from the alter and the adjacent sacristy room at the church on East Olive Street at Riverside Boulevard. Otera, a church elder, said a burglar or burglars gained entry by breaking a basement window and unlocking it.

Police said this latest incident is part of a burglary spree at Long Beach houses of worship, where brass and silver items, cash and other valuables were taken in recent months. The other burglaries or attempted burglaries include:

• 7/30: New Life Church of Christ, at 124 W. Chester St., - Money taken from a cash box.
• 7/31:  New Life Church of Christ 124 - Items disturbed, nothing appeared missing.
• 8/11: St. Mary of the Isle Church, 315 E. Walnut St., - Money taken from poor box.
• 9/4:  Evangelic Revival Community Church, at 559 National Blvd., - Nothing missing.
• 10/6:Bach Jewish Center 210 Edwards Blvd., - Three menorahs.

“Precious metals have gone up dramatically in the last few months,” said Bruce Meyer, deputy inspector of the Long Beach Police Department. “And unfortunately, to certain people nothing is sacred, and it appears they are targeting these houses of worship because they are vulnerable.”

Meyer said it would be premature to say the incidents are connected to the same suspect(s). “They seem to be,” he speculated.

This week, Melissa Armak, a 20-year member of St. John’s and an assistant treasurer, traveled to scrap yards in neighboring towns to see if the church’s stolen items were traded in.

“They told me that brass is selling now for a dollar a pound,” Armak said.

She pointed out that a solid brass cross on the alter, along with a brass serving tray decorated with religious designs, were left behind. “They probably didn’t take those because they’re too identifiable,” she speculated.  

The candle holders were given to the St. John’s congregation during the 1930s, a decade before the church was built, and Armak estimated their worth at about $850 each.

“Our church is a mission church that services all people in our community,” she said about the burglary. “And I’m deeply saddened that anyone with a life need wouldn't just come to us for help.”

St. John’s member Lucille Centeno said that with the holidays approaching, the loss of the items for a church that is financially strapped is a real blow.

“I understand things are hard today, but to take from a church is despicable,” Centeno said. “We are the poorest church in Long Beach money-wise, but we are rich in love and giving and lending a helping hand.”

According to police, St. John’s was burglarized in May, when various silver religious times were taken, and, according to Otera, someone broken in through the same basement window and took food from the refrigerator in March.

Meyer said the LBPD’s detective division is working diligently on these cases. “It has our full attention and we’re optimist that we’re going to make an arrest on it,” he said.