Financial Crime News 03/17/2023

(March 15) Mail Stolen From Church; Police Seek Driver | Winterville, NC

Winterville police are asking for assistance in identifying a suspect vehicle in the theft of packages and mail from a church on Reedy Branch Road earlier this month.

A news release from the Winterville Police Department said the larceny occurred at 8:13 p.m. March 4 at Open Door Church, 4584 Reedy Branch Road. Multiple items were stolen from the church’s mailbox.

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(March 15) Two Charged In String Of Church Break-Ins | Lancaster, PA

Two suspects have been named and charged in a recent string of church invasions and burglaries throughout Lancaster and Northumberland counties.

Nearly three weeks ago, reports of invasions and stolen cash and various items from churches began trickling into the Northumberland and Lancaster County sheriff’s offices.

According to Lancaster County Sheriff Patrick McCranie, at least five churches were invaded and burglarized in Lancaster County. McCranie said several of the churches were hit more than once.

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(March 12) Three Suspects Located After Attempted Robbery In Church Parking Lot | Rochester, NY

Police are investigating an alleged attempted robbery on the city's northwest side on Saturday afternoon.

Officers responded to Primrose Street and Flower City Park for the call of a physical altercation around 5:15 p.m.

Police say an elderly couple was leaving a church parking lot, when three suspects on foot blocked the couple's car, and began hitting it.

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(March 14) Former Director Of Operations Charged With Embezzlement After Nearly $65K Goes Missing From West River Catholic Church | West River, MD

An Annapolis woman has been accused of embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from a West River church over two years as its director of operations, Anne Arundel Police said.

In late February, county police were contacted by the Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church in West River, whose current leadership was concerned about a large theft from its church funds and payroll.

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(March 11) Connecticut Authorities Search For Man Accused Of Breaking Into, Defacing Church | Gales Ferry, CT

Connecticut authorities are looking to identify a man accused of burglarizing and defacing Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Gales Ferry.

Ledyard police shared photos of a man who was caught on camera entering the church through a broken window at about 1 a.m. on Saturday.

Police said he is later shown trying to get into locked rooms using a crowbar.

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