Caught on tape: Thief stealing instruments from Queens Catholic church

From the In My Backyard Desk, some news from a historic parish, the first in the United States named for St. Gerard Majella:

A brazen thief walked into a church in Queens and walked out with two guitars.

“They took two of our guitars from our choir, one of which was a family heirloom from our music director,” said Father Joseph Jude Gannon.
“She’s had it for 30 years since her father gave it to her who’s since now passed away.”

It happened in the middle of the day on October 30, at the Shrine Church of St. Gerard Majella. Today, the NYPD released surveillance video, hoping the public can help track down the suspect.

“They had to be replaced very quickly because of the Christmas season,” said Fr. Gannon. “A lot of the Christmas hymns have a lot of different types of music and they’re necessary for us to be able to worship and praise God and invite the neighborhood in to pray with us.”

The video shows the man walking in through the main door. He then makes his way over to the poor box which he attempts to open but cannot because it is locked.

After that, the suspect is seen disrespecting the sanctuary.

“He walked back across the sanctuary and violated the sanctuary a little bit by walking and dancing.”

You can watch a video report below. Check out the parish website for more. Want to donate? Drop them a line: saintgerardm@gmail.com