Philadelphia police say a hammer-wielding burglar was caught on camera breaking into a popular Baptist church in East Mount Airy and stealing thousands of dollars from a safe.
Surveillance video released by police shows the thief using a hammer to break into a safe at Enon Tabernacle Church and allegedly stealing $20,000 to $25,000 in cash and checks.
Philadelphia police said the Cheltenham Avenue burglary happened on Nov. 12, but was reported to the department on Monday.
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The male is shown walking from Cheltenham Ave. through the parking lot, before breaking through a glass door to enter the church, police said. He then heads directly to the main office, which includes a safe.
Police said the male was wearing yellow and black work gloves and has a black backpack with “BRAND” written on the back.
"Somebody probably knows who that is," Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller, the Senior Pastor of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, said during a Facebook Live. "And I can only imagine how hurt you are bruh, sis, that you had to break into a church and attempt to get something."
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Rev. Dr. Waller had a direct message for the person responsible for the theft and wants them to come forward.
"We love you and want to help you," he said. "I'm not interested in seeing how in trouble we can get you. I'm interested in knowing what has happened in your life that this is your response."
Anyone with information regarding the crime or suspect is asked to call PPD's Northwest Detective Division at 215-686-3353/3354.
