Thieves Rob Detroit-Area Chaldean Church–But Camera Catches All

Three men robbed St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church in West Bloomfield, Michigan on the morning after Easter, when there was an unusually large amount of cash on hand–but all three criminals were caught on surveillance video, and chances are that they’ll be caught soon.

The Chaldean News reports that the men first visited the St. Thomas Grotto, located at the rear of the church, at about 2:40 a.m. on Monday, April 6.  According to their report:

Video surveillance shows two of the men entering the grotto, which is located in the rear parking lot, at 2:40 a.m. on Monday, April 6, Det. Lt. Curt Lawson told the Chaldean News. They attempted to fish out money from the collection safe with a snowplow flag, but were unsuccessful and drove off at 2:48.

At about 5:20 a.m., the two men, along with a third, walked back into the grotto from the southeast parking lot. They carried a pry bar and hammer and were successful in prying open the safe, making off with an undisclosed amount of money. The burglary was called into West Bloomfield Police at 2:17 p.m. on Monday.

WXYZ-TV reports that the Chaldean community is angry.  Harrison Kakos, a member of the church, said, “A lot of people are expressing a lot of contempt and anger.”

The network is broadcasting video footage of the three thieves.  Anyone who has any information or recognizes any of the thieves is asked to contact the West Bloomfield police department (248.975.9200).