A collection box, liturgical vestments, keys and a sound system were stolen from a Szydłów church. The police arrested the first suspect in the vicinity of the church, and the other two in a rented car.
The report of a break-in at the church in Szydłów was received by the police officer on duty in Staszów on Wednesday at around noon. The theft had occurred several hours earlier.
“According to the reporting party, three unknown perpetrators stole, among other things, money from donations found in a metal box, keys, a sound system, as well as liturgical vestments, the total value of which was estimated at approximately PLN 3,000,” reads the Świętokrzyskie police in a statement.
Liturgical vestments stolen from the churchŚwiętokrzyskie Police
Loot found in rental car
The first suspect, a 32-year-old resident of Starachowice, was detained while officers were checking the area around the church. The other two escaped, but were also soon captured by the police.
“The idea that the rented Hyundai would be a good place to hide and that the escape route would not be traced was the criminals' faulty reasoning,” the police report. Money, liturgical vestments, a metal box with its contents, keys, and speakers were found in the rented vehicle.
The police report that the men also committed crimes in other provinces, and the case is ongoing. They face up to 10 years in prison for burglary.
Main image source: Świętokrzyskie Police