For the third time since September, someone has broken into St. Michael Church and stolen money from the votive candle donation boxes.
The thief only got about $20 from the boxes in the latest robbery Friday night, according to the Rev. Roman Gorowski.
Gorowski realized the theft had taken place early Saturday, when he went into the church and noticed the rear door had a broken lock.
The thief appeared to have pushed the door open without any burglary tools, according to Derby Police Lt. Sal Frosceno.
“It’s terrible,” Frosceno said. “It’s a sign of the times. People are desperate.”
Frosceno said the same type of theft happened at the church on Nov. 24. Gorowski said a similar theft also happened in September. Each time, there was only roughly $20 in the boxes, according to police.
The church is installing new locks on the doors, and a security system that includes an alarm and video cameras, Gorowski said.
Frosceno said the department hasn’t had other churches burglarized, but has seen a spike in thefts from cars in parking lots.
He urged residents to not keep valuables in their cars, and to lock their doors.
Gorowski said he was upset about the thefts at St. Michael, especially because the church is a place people can go to ask for help if they need it.
“If this person had just come to the rectory and asked me, I would have given this $20,” Gorowski said. “Instead, they broke in. Now we need to repair everything.”
Anyone with information about the break-ins at St. Michael Church is asked to call the Derby Police Department at (203) 735-7811.