A Philadelphia church has been robbed twice in the last two weeks with thieves first stealing the rectory doors then returning to steal the transom window above the missing doors.
Father James Cox told KYW-TV the doors were taken and valuables inside stolen from the Holy Cross Church rectory in Mt. Airy on August 7.
About a week later, burglars came back and took the transom window that was above the doors.
“When I came back and saw the transom gone, it kind of made me sick,” Father Cox told KYW.
The church puts the total value of the missing items at more than $40,000.
Cox says he suspects the thieves were targeting specific items.
“There were many things that were not touched so they knew exactly what they wanted,” Father Cox told KYW.
Parishioner Edward Arington said the church has been hit before, with thieves taking copper downspouts and brass light fixtures.
“They’re really out to strip the building here,” Father Cox said. “We’re going to do everything we can to stop it and catch the guys and bring them to justice.”
A South Philadelphia church was also hit by thieves this week, stealing crosses and collection plates Sunday night.
Philly Church Hit Twice: Doors, Window Stolen
Thieves steal $40,000 worth of valuables from Mt. Airy church
Copyright AP - Associated Press
