The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: April 02, 2025
Today: April 02, 2025

Gold crown stolen from church, stained glass smashed, police say

January 13, 2025

    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) -- Philadelphia police are investigating after someone stole a more than 120-year-old crown from a statue of Mary in a Center City Catholic church early Saturday morning.

"I'm sad. I'm angry," parochial vicar John McCloskey said.

The thief broke into St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church at 21 South 13th Street by smashing through a stained glass window, police said. The person then stole a golden crown from a statue of Mary.

"See, anyone who steals from the church, first of all, I'm sorry. I have to be un-Christian. They have to be damned to hell," church member Nadine Boulware said.

Police released surveillance video which shows a man breaking into the church along with footage of him driving a gray Mitsubishi following the incident.

"You're going to steal something that's precious and you don't know what the meaning of it is? It's just horrifying," Boulware said.

Its meaning goes back to the early 1900s when the jewels on the sentimental piece were donated by parishioners after a massive church fire.

"That statue of Mary is the only large object from the original church that survived," McCloskey said.

The church boarded up the damaged window as police continue to investigate.

"Bring it back to the church because it means nothing to them," Boulware said.

Police say they have not made any arrests.

Related Articles

Arizona man possibly targeted for pride flag finds dead animals, adult toys on property Suspect arrested after neo-Nazi stickers found on Bridgewater State University bus stop Police identify man accused of vandalizing Tesla vehicles in Massachusetts 2 arrested after 9/11 memorial wall vandalized with graffiti
Share This

Popular

Business|Crime|Technology|US

Man faces charges after Teslas set on fire with Molotov cocktails

Man faces charges after Teslas set on fire with Molotov cocktails
Americas|Crime|Political|US

Priscilla Alvarez on what we know about father mistakenly deported, sent to El Salvador prison

Priscilla Alvarez on what we know about father mistakenly deported, sent to El Salvador prison
Business|Crime|Technology

โ€˜He just wouldnโ€™t stop staring at meโ€™: Tesla drivers say theyโ€™re being harassed on road

โ€˜He just wouldnโ€™t stop staring at meโ€™: Tesla drivers say theyโ€™re being harassed on road
Americas|Crime|Political|US

Outrage grows over Maryland man's mistaken deportation to El Salvador prison

Outrage grows over Maryland man's mistaken deportation to El Salvador prison

Crime

Crime|Education|US

Police say the 2023 Nashville school shooter hid mental health issues from doctors and family

Police say the 2023 Nashville school shooter hid mental health issues from doctors and family
Crime|Political|Technology|US

APD's plate reader technology assists in shooting arrest, but spurs City Council debate

APD's plate reader technology assists in shooting arrest, but spurs City Council debate
Crime|Political|US

District attorney lashes out at ICE for detaining suspect in Boston during a trial

District attorney lashes out at ICE for detaining suspect in Boston during a trial
Crime|Education|US

Mass shooter who killed 6 people at The Covenant School had no grudge against victims but was fueled by a quest for notoriety

Mass shooter who killed 6 people at The Covenant School had no grudge against victims but was fueled by a quest for notoriety

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In