Unholy Moly! Thief Empties Church Collection Box

There are some crimes that are quite petty and yet stir us to righteous anger and incredulity – such as stealing from a church.

In this instance, that classic head-shaker was exacerbated doubly when the thief grabbed the locked collection box, invaded an inner sanctum to avoid detection and there stole property from the priest, as well.

An employee of , 2160 Wauwatosa Ave., reported that between 11 a.m. and noon Monday someone stole an unknown amount of cash, probably between $20 and $50, from the collection box.

She said that the doors had been open at the time as several people were there conducting church business.

Someone, she said, had entered, picked up the collection box from the vestibule and carried it to a room in the rear of the church where the priestly vestments are stored. There, the thief had broken the hasp on the box to get at the cash.

The woman called police back later to say that it had been discovered that a cell phone belonging to the priest had been stolen from the vestment room as well.

No one was seen entering or leaving the church, and have no suspects at this time. The cell phone's account was canceled before officers could attempt to trace it.