STONEHAM, Mass. — Stoneham police are asking for the public’s help finding a man they believed stole from a church.
Police said the man took cash from the collection box at St. Patrick’s parish twice in the past six months, once in February and once in October.
“It’s a sad situation because a lot of the money in the St. Vincent De Paul box is used for people who are in immediate need,” Father Mario Orrigo said.
A church janitor noticed the man using a screw driver to pry open the money box, then snapped several photos of the suspect, a white man in his 50s or 60s with gray hair.
"The witness in this case acted smartly, and his actions are commendable," Stoneham Police Chief James McIntyre said. "We never advise citizens to attempt to apprehend a potentially dangerous suspect. Now we have clear photos, and we hope the public recognizes this individual."
Police said when approached by the janitor, the man fled on a bicycle.
“This happened a number of times, and it’s happened in a number of churches and sometimes it’s a sign of the times,” Orrigo said. “The unfortunate thing with all of this is all he had to do is ask and he would have helped him.”
If anyone has any information about this case or recognizes the suspect pictured, they are urged to call the Stoneham Police Department at 781-438-1215.