The Tablet Staff

The collection box of St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church in Park Slope was burglarized late July 31. The incident, which is under investigation by the NYPD, was discovered around 4 p.m. Friday by a Franciscan nun who was sanitizing the church pews, the Diocese of Brooklyn said in a statement.

Surveillance video shows the suspect cutting open one of the wooden collection boxes and removing an unknown amount of money before leaving the church. Camera footage shows the perpetrator was in the church for a while, appearing to be praying, however, it is now evident he was waiting to be alone in the church to commit the robbery.

 “I am saddened by what happened inside our beautiful church yesterday, but I am grateful to God that no one was injured. I understand in these unprecedented times, many people have lost their jobs and need assistance, but this not how you turn to the church for help. My message to those in need is to ring our doorbell, don’t vandalize and steal, and let us help you,” said Father Willy Kingsley Ndi, administrator of St. Thomas Aquinas Church.

 St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church is located at 249-9th Street in Brooklyn. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the NYPD’s 78th Precinct at (718) 636-6411 or NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-8477.