Two white men in their early- to mid-20s are said to have taken the box on three separate occasions — at 2:15 p.m. on Jan. 20, 9:20 p.m. on Jan. 21 and again at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 22 — from the Sterling Heights parish’s adoration chapel. Police said there were others inside the chapel during the thefts, but those interviewed didn’t notice anything unusual.
Sterling Heights Police Lt. Luke Riley said video surveillance showed the men enter the adoration chapel and kneel for a short period before getting up and taking the donation box as they left. Lt. Riley told The Michigan Catholic one of the suspects “said something to the effect of ‘I want to get my $20 back’” before taking the box from the wall.
One suspect acted alone Jan. 20 and 22, and both men were present Jan. 21, police said. It is unknown how much cash was stolen.
Police have had contact with one possible suspect, Lt. Riley said, although no arrests have been made.
One of the suspects was wearing a long-sleeved, horizontal-striped shirt with a dark blue hooded jacket with the words “New York” in white letters on the front. He had dark hair and wore tennis shoes. The other suspect wore black shoes, blue jeans and a black jacket over a gray hooded sweatshirt. Both suspects are described as tall and thin.
If anyone has information on the thefts, call Sterling Heights police at (586) 446-2801 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 773-2587.
St. Rene Goupil Parish is at 35955 Ryan Road in Sterling Heights.
