UPDATED: Church Thief Steals State Lawmaker's Wallet

When a fellow parishioner fainted in church Sunday, state Rep. Dale Kooyenga was among those who assisted.

Someone else then grabbed Kooyenga's wallet from his unattended coat and racked up some charges on his credit cards Sunday before the state lawmaker realized his wallet was missing, according to a police report.

At least two other parishioners at Brookfield Christian Reformed Church reported they had items stolen from their coat pockets during the Sunday morning service - including a iPhone and car keys, the reports say.

Kooyenga said in an email Monday that the brazen thefts would not shake his faith.

"One person taking advantage of our welcoming environment will not change the fact that we will share the Good News of our Savior with the entire Milwaukee community," he wrote. "The police are looking into the matter and I have been once again impressed by their professionalism."

Police were checking Monday with Kooyenga's credit card companies to learn the extent of the unauthorized purchases. As of Sunday, the companies only could say the cards had been used but not the amounts charged or the locaations, Police Capt. Jim Adlam said.

All of the thefts occurred from coats hanging in a coat room, said Paula Coldagelli, the church's executive director of ministry. She said Kooyenga said he usually removes his wallet from his coat before hanging it but was distracted when an elderly man fainted.

"Dale used to live next door to the man," Coldagelli said. "(Kooyenga) went over to just see if he was OK."

An ambulance was called for the man who was revived, she added.

She called the thefts an "unfortunate" random act and a good reminder that people should keep an eye on their belongings, even in church.

"Churches are welcoming places," she said. "We can't screen people when they come to church. It's just kind of sad." 

Kooyenga said he realized he was missing his wallet as soon as he got home Sunday. Gone were three credit cards, his driver's license, military ID, gift cards and family photos. Kooyenga did not report having any cash in his stolen wallet.

Another parishioner said his wife's iPhone was stolen from his coat that was hanging in a foyer during the church service, held from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

A third parishioner said his car keys were stolen from his jacket. His car was still in the church parking lot but it had been entered and the content of the center console had been disturbed, reports said. Nothing appeared to have been taken.

The thefts remain under investigation.