Thief Swipes $3K Candlesticks From UES Church, Police Say

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — The NYPD is trying to identify a man who stole four ornate brass candlesticks from an Upper East Side church, police said.

The man entered Saint Monica's Church on East 79th Street between York and First Avenues on the morning of Jan. 30 and swiped the candlesticks, police said. He placed the pricey items in a suitcase before leaving the church around 9:30 a.m., police said.

The candlesticks are valued at $3,000, police said.

Police released a surveillance video Wednesday that showed the thief nonchalantly walk up to the church's alter and grab two large brass candlesticks. The thief then shuffles away from the scene of the crime without much urgency, according to police video.

Police described the suspect as a man in his 40s or 50s who was last seen wearing all dark clothing.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

Photo by NYPD